‘She loved what she did’

WEST BLOOMFIELD – When the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees met on Dec. 1, members voted unanimously to undertake a decision honoring the life and contributions of Kathy Hagopian, who served the township on boards and commissions for greater than twenty years.

Hagopian died on November 13, simply sooner or later after her 67th birthday. Hagopian stepped down from her place on the West Bloomfield Planning Fee and Zoning Board of Appeals in September on account of well being causes, based on Debbie Binder, city clerk and trustee of the board. She has held each positions since October 2017.

“She cherished what she did, and he or she cherished her efforts,” Binder mentioned. “I’m grateful for her service to the neighborhood.”

Hagopian was remembered by officers as a consummate skilled – all the time ready and captivated with public service. She was described as loving, form, respectful of all individuals and an animal lover.

“My time together with her on the board was glorious,” mentioned Sheldon Larky, secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals. “She was a devoted public servant, and I’ll miss her.”

Earlier than becoming a member of the Planning Fee and the Zoning Board of Appeals, Hagopian served on the Wetland Assessment Board from 2001 to 2015. That board is now often called the Environmental Committee.

“I’ve been the environmental liaison for the Board of Administrators since I began in 2012,” mentioned Trustee Diane Rosenfeld Swimmer. “I had the privilege of working with and watching Kathy as a result of she was an amazing commissioner. She did her homework and gave her greatest. And he or she will likely be tremendously missed.”

Hagopian lived in West Bloomfield for greater than thirty years. Professionally, she owned and operated a development firm for twenty-four years.

This supplied Hagopian perception to the candidates who got here earlier than her in her roles on the Planning Fee and Zoning Board of Appeals, mentioned Trustee Jim Manna.

“She was an expert builder and had a special perspective when she appeared on the completely different candidates who got here earlier than her,” Manna mentioned. “I revered that about her. She was extraordinarily sincere.”

The curator mirrored on the loss her dying had felt.

“She will likely be deeply missed,” Manna mentioned. “Her dying was an entire loss for the complete neighborhood and for me personally.”

The Planning Fee focuses on land use and future improvement within the municipality, whereas the Zoning Board of Appeals offers a manner for property house owners to acquire aid by way of board approval for distinctive conditions that permit variances in zoning codes. Each play a key position in shaping land use throughout the municipality.

In her private life, Hagopian was married to Emil Hagopian for 40 years.

“In case you knew Kathy, she was not one to simply accept reward or recognition for a job she was contemplating to present again to her neighborhood,” Emil Hagopian mentioned on the trustees assembly.

He thanked everybody who spoke, in addition to others in the neighborhood who had provided their condolences to his household.

“I do know Kathy could be very honored tonight,” Emil Hagopian mentioned.

Lance Stokes most just lately served at Hagopian on the Planning Fee and beforehand served on the Wetland Assessment Board.

“I’ve by no means seen anybody so diligent and work so laborious,” Stokes mentioned.

He gave an instance of Hagopianus’ preparedness.

“All of us reviewed the paperwork that had been despatched,” Stokes mentioned. “Kathy got here with pink and yellow marks (on her paperwork). … She was all the time prepared. She was actually devoted.”

He additionally shared his views on honoring her.

“She was a beautiful particular person,” Stokes mentioned. “As an alternative of claiming I’ll miss her, I’ll say I’ll all the time bear in mind her.”

Hagopian additionally donated to many charities, together with the Associates for Animals of Metro Detroit, Bark Nation – Detroit and the Solanus Casey Basis, based on her obituary.

Along with her husband, Hagopian is survived by her sons John (Gina), David (Krystal) and Justin (Shelby), in addition to her sister Beverly (Ed) Penner Booms, her grandchildren Grayson, Oliver, Maverick and Skyler, and a bunch of nieces and nephews.