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The Nedurians: 2021 Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors of the Year
Resident Feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Photos by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Thanks to Alpha Century Security of Newtown Square for sponsoring our Resident Feature.
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This month we are pleased to introduce you to the Nedurians: Our 2021 Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors of the Year. Vram “Ned” Nedurian and his wife, Sylvia, likely need no introduction as they have spent many years raising their family in Newtown Square and publicly serving our community.
Newtown Square is in Ned’s blood. He first began spending time in our area in 1925, when his father, a physician, purchased land in the Larchmont Square section of town. The property served as a summer place where his family could relax and have fun. “There was a creek that ran through the property,” Ned recalled. “But my father wanted us to have a place to swim, so he dammed the creek and affectionately called it 'Doc’s Pool.'” Ned laughed when he described what it was like back then. “There was no electric, water or sewer. We really roughed it, but it was fun and felt a world away from our home on 55th and Pine St in Philadelphia.”
Ned attended West Philadelphia High School, graduating in 1941. He went on to study at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, but his time there was cut short when he was drafted to serve in World War II.
Ned was a 19-year-old Army Private when he was sent overseas to join the 9th Infantry Division in Liege, Belgium. “I was wounded in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, while attending to my Sergeant who had been shot in the head,” he said. “As I was trying to evacuate him, I was hit by shrapnel from a German 88 shell.”
Ned’s service to his country and bravery on the battlefield earned him a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. When he was discharged in February 1946, he returned to Wharton, to continue his studies.
After Ned graduated from the Wharton School, he went on to study law at Dickinson Law School, and was admitted to the Delaware County Bar in June 1951. He then decided to settle down in Newtown Square, and he built a home on the land where he spent his summers as a child. He opened his law office on West Chester Pike above Mackey’s Pharmacy, and fully immersed himself into his law practice and service to his community.
His impressive resume includes work as an elected Justice of the Peace, a position in which he served from 1958–1964. At the end of that term, he was sworn in at the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office where he served for 56 years before retiring on June 30, 2020.
Ned was the Marple Newtown School District Solicitor for 25 years, Chairman of the Newtown Township Sewer Authority, and was well-known for enforcing Sunday Blue Laws that required businesses to be closed on Sundays. Ned’s service to our community continues today as a Board Member and a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Newtown Square.
Sylvia and Ned Nedurian
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Ned’s wife Sylvia calls him “Mr. Newtown Square,” and after learning all that Ned has accomplished in his life and career, that designation is undisputable. Who else at the age of 97 has a Resolution passed by Newtown Township. to recognize over 50 years of service to the community? Ned does. The Resolution was adopted in February 2020, just a few months before his retirement.
Resolution recognizing Ned for his years of service
Photo courtesy of Tina Roberts-Lightcap
Current Newtown Township Supervisor Tina Roberts-Lightcap was one of the officials who passed the Resolution. “Ned is the reason I am a Township Supervisor today,” she said. “When he learned that I was interested in getting involved, he took me under his wing.”
Tina, who also happens to live across the street from Ned and Sylvia, said she feels very fortunate to not only have Ned as a mentor, but to have Ned and Sylvia as neighbors. “They welcomed my family with open arms 25 years ago, and we have enjoyed many good times together,” she shared.
Ned and Sylvia met in 1962, after she moved from central PA to Newtown Square with her son Michael. She began working as a Secretary in Ned’s law office, and they were married in August 1967, at the Delaware County Courthouse, by the honorable Judge VanRoden. At the time, Ned had four daughters of his own, so he and Sylvia began building their busy, blended life together in Newtown Square.
Ned and Sylvia with daughters, (L-R): Donna, Sue, Nancy and Karen
Photo courtesy of Ned Nedurian
The Nedurians are proud that their children graduated from the Marple Newtown School District. Now that their kids are grown and have their own families, Sylvia and Ned enjoy spending time with their 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The couple is also happy to say that four of their grandkids are Marple Newtown graduates, and three more grandkids and three great-grandkids reside right here in Newtown Square.
“Mr. Newtown Square” Ned Nedurian with his wife Sylvia
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography, www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Ned will be celebrating his 98th birthday this month, and has no plans to slow down. He and Sylvia are still very active both in the community and at home. They love to spend their time walking, landscaping, doing crossword puzzles, reading suspense novels and spending time with their children and grandchildren. On weekends, you’ll find Ned outside with his grandsons, weeding, planting and maintaining their beautiful yard. And this time of year is one of Sylvia’s favorites because it means baseball season. She is an avid Phillies fan who can name everyone on the roster without a hint of hesitation.
As a couple, Ned and Sylvia have enjoyed working and socializing together. Sylvia described a great time in their lives when they would regularly get together with other couples for what they called the Couples Gourmet. There were nine couples in the group that took turns hosting dinner parties. “We would all come with a dish that we prepared and discuss how to make each one,” she explained. “The best part is that I became a gourmet cook and now love to make all kinds of delicious meals.”
Both Ned and Sylvia said they miss the days of dinner parties, family gatherings and networking events. They hope that once we are all able to gather again, people will step away from their screens to not only gather with family and friends but to again participate in civic clubs and organizations that help to keep Newtown Square a vibrant, thriving community.
Sylvia and Vram ("Ned") Nedurian at their home in Newtown Square
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Ned’s daughters were excited to learn that he and Sylvia were being recognized as 2021 Friends & Neighbors of the Year. They said, “We have incredible gratitude, respect and admiration for our Dad and Sylvia. They are amazing parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, and are a true inspiration to all of us. We are truly blessed that they have been a part of our lives for so many years.”
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
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