Who is Arax (Aroosian) Balakian?

Arax Balakian is Peter's mother, and one of the younger two children of Nafina. Arax was born after the genocide, to the husband Nafina married in the United States. She knows little of her mother's role in the genocide, since the family does not discuss such things. However, Arax is very much an Armenian woman. Smart, stylish, and centered on the home. Arax strives to provide a comfortable and modern atmosphere for her family, while still maintaining her Armenian roots. Her life centers on Armenian food, and the home she provides for her family. While she is not as business savvy as her sisters, Arax is just as powerful of a female force in Peter's life.