HAVERHILL: Lena J. (Bengtsson) Amirian was born on October 25, 1946 in Falkenberg, Sweden. Her passion for animals and music started at an early age. She used to bike miles to visit her first horse, and she trained avidly at a music conservatory as she sought to become a concert pianist.
In September of 1966, she met her husband to be, Ashod N. Amirian, at a dance at the Golden Circle in Stockholm, Sweden. They were married at the Spanga Church in Sweden on July 17, 1967.
After the wedding, Lena moved back to Haverhill, MA with Ash and soon enrolled at the University of New Hampshire where she earned a degree in education. She taught for a time as an elementary classroom teacher in the Haverhill Public Schools before becoming a full time mom to her son Sven and daughter Naima.
Lena's next career endeavor happened some years later when she received her degree from Northern Essex Community College as a Registered Nurse. She spent the majority of her remaining working years at the Hale Hospital in Haverhill, most notably in the elder care unit. At her retirement, she had come full circle as she returned to the Haverhill Public Schools as school nurse.
Throughout her life, Lena was both a trainer and breeder of hunting dogs. She had a black Labrador, several golden retrievers and a long line of Italian Spinones. One of her great achievements was winning best of breed as a trainer/handler at the Westminster dog show with her champion Spinone, Rufus. Lena was also an accomplished horseback rider. She had three horses and spent many years and countless hours training her beloved standard bred Joey in both dressage and jumping. She was also a Master of fox hounds at the Wentworth Hunt Club.
Lena's passion for life was evident in her work and her hobbies but even more so with her friends and family. A consummate giver, Lena never asked for anything in return. She touched so many people with her indomitable spirit and infectious enthusiasm.
Her memory is cherished by her husband of 52 years, Ashod, her son Sven and his wife Melanie and their children Balin, Meredith and Mallory; her daughter Naima White and her husband Nick and their daughter Yasmin of Ellenboro, NC; her sister Anne-Christine Magnusson, her husband Michael and their children Rasmus and Lisa of Taby, Sweden, and her sister Helen Nilsson and her children Bjorn, Lars and Annie of Falkenberg, Sweden.
There will be a celebration of Lena's life on Nov. 2nd at the family home at 500 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA starting at noon.
In lieu of flowers, tax deductible contributions can be made to the Lena J. Amirian Memorial Fund which will then disburse funds to dog related charities including a Spinone Health Fund, and scholarships for students at the Haverhill High School interested in the nursing profession. Checks can be made out to and mailed to, the donor advised fund manager, Lincoln Community Foundation,215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. Please reference the Lena J. Amirian Memorial Fund on the check. On-line donations can also be made via www.lcf.org. Please click the donate tab and then specify "Other LCF Fund" in the drop down menu and type "Lena J. Amirian Memorial Fund" in the Other LCF Fund box. All contributions are tax deductible and will receive a 10% match.
Arrangements under the directions of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com