Irene Najarian, a beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away on July 22, 2026, at 66, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Born in Athens, Greece, she was the cherished daughter of the late Emmanuel and Despina (Savopoulou) Asikis.

In 1965, Irene journeyed to the United States with her parents, settling first in New Jersey before making Somerville, MA, their home. After high school, she pursued her passion for psychology, dedicated to understanding the human spirit.

In 1980, a vacation to Greece changed her life forever when she met Krikor S. Najarian. Their love blossomed into marriage on October 25, 1981, in Lebanon, beginning a joyful family life upon returning to the U.S.

Irene's warmth shone brightly in her love for cooking and gathering family and friends. She cherished her summers by the Greek sea and treasured moments with her grandchildren. Her heart extended to her beloved cats, Zazu and those departed: Gary, Nisa, and Alina.

She leaves behind her devoted husband, Krikor; her loving children, Sarkis, Vatche, and Despina; adored grandchildren, Dessie Irene Najarian, Cecilia Najarian, and Krikor Sarkis Najarian, and her dear brothers, William and John Asikis. Her legacy of love and laughter unites family and friends across the oceans in Greece and Lebanon.

A celebration of Irene’s life will take place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Faggas Funeral Home, 551 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. All who knew her are invited to join in remembrance of a life beautifully lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to her daughter Despina’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute fundraising page.

Although cancer was not part of Irene’s own journey, supporting this cause would have meant so much to her as a way of honoring the memory of her beloved mother, Despina Asikis, who lost her battle with breast cancer. In tribute to both her mother and grandmother, her daughter, Despina, will be running the 2026 Sydney Marathon with Dana-Farber to raise funds for lifesaving cancer research and compassionate patient care.

Your generosity will honor the enduring love between a mother and daughter, help create hope for families facing cancer, and serve as a lasting legacy in memory of two remarkable women.

Link: https://sm26.grassrootz.com/danafarber/despina-najarian?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio