Anna DerVartanian

December 6, 1920 ~ August 4, 2011
Anna DerVartanian of McLean, VA died on Thursday, August 4, 2011 of cardiac arrest. During World War II, she enlisted in the Navy WAVES, where she pursued a career for twenty years. In 1959, she became the first woman in the Navy to be promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer with a rank of E-9. After her retirement from the Navy, she joined the C. I. A., where she became a specialist in Middle Eastern and European matters, retiring in 1991, only to return in a contractual capacity, working into her mid eighties until 2007. She is survived by her sisters, Roxie Sahakian and Ardis Gregory and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Arlington National Cemetery, Women's Memorial Foundation, Department 560, Washington, DC 20042-0560.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Fair winds and following seas Master Chief. Thank you for being the first and setting the example for others.
Well Mo, this is Curley and I’m going to miss those phone calls and lunch dates. You’re with E-9 Fran Calnan now so you can compare Navy stories. I’ll have a glass of wine or two for you.
You greeted us when we came to Germany, served with us, and renewed memories at later luncheons. Great memories. George L. Marling
Ann and I were classmates in the Fairfax County Adult Education French classes. Everyone was glad to see her each week, even as she often made her entrance a little late, a little shyly. Since we speak only French in class, I usually understand only about 75% of what is said, but any time Ann spoke it was always something interesting and often wry. She made me really listen. I’m very glad to have met her, and hope that I’ll always be taking French classes, too. My thoughts are with her, her family, and her friends.
I had the pleasure of being in French class with Anna for a number of years. She always had a quiet way about her and appeared to truly enjoy life. She shared interesting stories of her years living in France when she was in the military and lately when she returned as a tourist. My favorite stories concerned her, a car and speeding tickets from the French police! She told these tales and others with a twinkle in her eye to accompany her excellent French. I will miss her.
I was Anna’s French teacher. I first met her in a French conversation class. She didn’t talk a lot at first, but little by little, she shared stories of her time in Paris as well as her years in the Navy. One memorable story had to do with the Ile St. Louis, Picasso, and a poodle. I got to know her outside of class and found out more about her life. She certainly lived life in the fullest sense of the word. I’m so happy that I knew Anna. She’ll be greatly missed both in French class and outside of it.
I, too, met Ann in a French class. I remember her as a lover of fine wine, all things French, and trips to France. One time she brought a photo to class of her meeting JFK while she was stationed in Paris. We were all very impressed! She will be missed by many of us trying to master a beautiful language.
Our condolances to the family. Anna was certainly a trailblazer who led the way for other servicewomen to achieve their career goals. She was a good woman who came from a wonderful family. With regret for your your loss, Edward and Virginia Sarkisian