Obituaries
Lake Orion's Mida Giragosian Remembered as Kind, Fun
'You have to have a good attitude, that's half the battle,' chronically ill publicist wrote.
Publicist extraordinaire Mida Giragosian of Lake Orion died Oct. 22, 2012 after living her entire adult life with chronic illnesses.
In 1986, as a newlywed, she was diagnosed with lupus. In 2001, after 11 years on dialysis, she received a kidney transplant from her brother. The transplant was successful, but a heart attack in 2006 led to bypass surgery, failure of the kidney and more dialysis. Despite many, many surgeries, Giragosian still managed a successful career as a publicist; she was managing partner at Lapides Publicity Giragosian in Royal Oak. She also wrote a book, You Will Overcome, to share her story and those of other successful entrepreneurs.
“You have to have a good attitude, that’s half the battle,” she wrote. “When I wake up, I just think, ‘It’s going to be a good day.’ Life is challenging, and you have to keep moving forward.”
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On Monday she was remembered by Facebook friends as a kind woman who never complained about her troubles. One of her favorite quotations was “Always dress up as if you’re going to a party. If you look good you feel good.”
Giragosian graduated from Southfield-Lathrup High School in 1982 and went on to Oakland University. She was a member of the Women’s Economic Club, the Armenian Assembly of America and Women in Communications of Detroit. Non-profit organizations she supported include the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Lupus Alliance, Common Ground Sanctuary and Pages to Stages.
Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Mida was a hard-working and courageous professional who made the business of public relations look easy, even though it is not," said friend and fellow publicist Marty Habalewsky. "She was a great fundraiser for causes that were close to her. Her co-workers, clients and friends in the media loved her. I am really saddened to hear about her passing."
Funeral services and visitation will be at St. Johns Armenian Church, 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield. Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service. The funeral will be Friday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
