Arpi Nardone

Arpi Nardone was born in Aleppo, Syria, on March 18, 1935, the daughter of Rev. Fr. Khachador and Yeretzgin Aznif Guiragossian. She spent part of her youth in Beirut, Lebanon, before immigrating to the United States at the age of 15.

After graduating from Newtown high school in Queens, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. With dedication and a strong work ethic, she went on to become a successful fashion designer.

On May 27, 1963, Arpi married Ramon P. Nardone. They were married for 62 years before Ramon passed away on April 5, 2025. Together they had two boys Peter and Richard whom she raised with unconditional love and devotion.

Although Arpi sacrificed her fashion career to raise her children, she never stopped creating. While being a homemaker, Arpi built a successful career as an independent artist in the unique form of shadow-tole art. She became a renowned artist in this style and her work was displayed at many of New York’s finest galleries such as Alfred Dunhill, Bergdorf Goodman, Trump Towers and Cartier. Later in life, she reverted to her original passion of painting and spent years taking art classes and creating beautiful portraits and landscapes.

Arpi was also very well known for her culinary skills and her love for entertaining. Her home was always open to visitors, who never left hungry. Holiday dining tables were always completely adorned with gourmet foods specializing in Armenian delicacies. Arpi was the light of the family and deeply loved by all those whose lives she touched.

Arpi is survived by her brothers Shahen and Dickran, her sons Peter (Letty) and Richard and four grandchildren, Anya, Katya, Savina and Santino.

Wake Services will be held at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church located at 461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, NJ 07657 on July 2, 2026 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, followed by Funeral Services on July 3, 2026 at 10:30 am. Internment Services to follow at Brookside Cemetery, located at 425 Engle St., Englewood, NJ 07631.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.