It is with heavy hearts we report Mrs. Alice Berberian Haidostian, a great supporter of the arts and a longtime member of ProMusica of Detroit, has passed. Mrs. Haidostian died peacefully at her home in Bloomfield Hills on March 24, 2021. She was 95 years of age.
Mrs. Haidostian was a concert pianist and active in Armenian American organizations. She also served as a fundraiser for many important civic causes and not-for-profit organizations. She donated her papers and files relating to her organizational activities to the University of Michigan. As she was frequently known to say in her later years, “I have lived a great life.”
Alice and her husband Dr. Berj H. Haidostian, M.D., were great supporters and active with Pro Musica of Detroit for many years. Alice served as First Vice President, beginning in 1991, and served as a senior member of the Board of Directors for many years.
“What a lovely person!” Stanley Beattie, president emeritus of Pro Musica of Detroit, said. “It was a real gift to have been her friend.”
A celebration of Mrs. Haidostian’s full and impactful life will be held later this spring. To plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Haidostian, please click here.
Mrs. Haidostian was an accomplished pianist and an avid performer. In 1999, Alice along with the late Alex Suczek, president emeritus of Pro Musica of Detroit, performed Tin Pan Alley songs at the Pro Musica annual meeting in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Kim Lee. Mrs. Haidostian also, on occasion, would sit and play at local piano bars to the delight of the patrons who would sing along with her songs.
“Judy (Milosic) and I always enjoyed talking with Alice, whenever we had the chance,” Henry Murawski, Secretary of Pro Musicaof Detroit, said. “Until the last couple of years, she would come to our PMD concerts at the Cube. We always saved her a seat.”
Mrs. Haidostian had been a volunteer and fundraiser for many cultural groups and organizations. A report in the September 14, 1986 Detroit Free Press estimated she had collected $1.5 million for various organizations.
Among her many activities and memberships are service as president of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Women’s Association, a Trustee of the Michigan Opera Theatre, membership in the Pro-Mozart Society, membership in the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit, founding member of the Oakway Symphony, University of Michigan Armenian Student Cultural Association advisory council, Detroit Science Center, and the Detroit Armenian Women’s Club.
Alice Berberian Haidostian was born September 21, 1925 in Highland Park, Michigan, the daughter of Harry M. and Siroun Vartabedian Berberian. She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music, receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1946 and her master’s degree in music in 1949. She married Dr. Berj H. Haidostian, M.D., on October 1, 1949.
The University of Michigan reports Mrs. Haidostian had a dual career, first as a concert pianist, a music teacher in the Detroit Public Schools system, and a director of a vocal trio, The Haidostians. The second great activity of her life was as a member, promoter, and fundraiser for mainly Armenian civic, cultural, and educational organizations.
University of Michigan also reported: Although most of her efforts related to the Armenian community of the Detroit metropolitan area, Mrs. Haidostian was also involved in national Armenian organizations. Of most significance was her work with the Armenian General Benevolent Union Alex Manoogian School, the Detroit chapter of the A.G.B.U., and the Detroit Armenian Women’s Club.
Mrs. Haidostian was also active in the Wayne County Medical Society Auxiliary and Project Hope Women’s Division.
Many of the groups reflected her different church interests, with the Armenian Congregational Church, the Armenian Missionary Association of America, and St. John’s Armenian Church of Greater Detroit.
One of her proudest accomplishments, Mrs. Haidostian was instrumental in the founding of the Armenian Studies Program at the University of Michigan in 1984. She also served as a member of the Program’s advisory council.
All of us in the Pro Musica of Detroit community who have enjoyed the privilege of knowing Mrs. Haidostian will always hold her in our hearts. We also will cherish her memory when we join together to enjoy the finest music and companionship in the world.
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