Andighoni Neofidou Minasian

Andighoni Neofidou Minasian better known as "Yaya" by her family was born on December 16, 1922 to Eleni & Mikahel Neofidou in Paphos, Cyprus. She was the 9th of their 10 Children. Yaya passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 surrounded by the love of her entire family. She married Berj Minasian in February of 1946 and together they had five beautiful children; Vartan, Rose, Nshan, Mayda and Mary. The family moved from Cyprus to Armenia in 1963. In Armenia, the untimely passing of her oldest son Vartan was the lowest point in her life and to honor him and keep his memory alive she would have a dinner for his birthday every year. No matter how many years passed her tradition for him remained. Yaya moved to America with her family in 1979. She loved going to the Farmers Market every week with her daughters for fresh vegetables and fruit whether she was in Fresno or in Glendale, California. Yaya was an incredible cook, everything she prepared was the best you ever had. She loved picking and canning greek olives, cleaning walnuts and making home made yogurt for her family. She was a true master gardener. She loved growing everything, especially flowers. She could nurture any plant no matter how bad it's shape. Yaya could be found every morning showering her plants and every afternoon sitting in the sun. Her Greek skin radiant and her blue eyes always sparkling. Most people may not realize that she was also an avid Los Angeles Lakers fan and loved watching the games with her family. Yaya was able to travel back to Cyprus to visit her sisters and brothers several times in her life and cherished the memories made back in her country. She outlived all of her brothers and sisters. Yaya was a woman of great faith and tradition. She always respected her religious icons and shared them with those in need. Yaya was an amazing mother and grandmother. She showered her family with immense love, unconditional support, and limitless humor. She created a specialness about family that is undeniable and ever present in all those she leaves behind. To say that she will be missed is simply not enough. She will remain in our hearts forever.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Berj Minasian; her son, Vartan Minasian; and her grandson in law, Sophocles "Akis" Sophocleous.

She leaves behind her daughter, Rose Assadourian; son, Nshan Minasian; her daughter and sonin-law, Mayda and Avak Hekimian; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Alex Keshishian; grandchildren Teresa Sophocleous, Ardemis Piro and her husband Romeo, Vartan and Aren Hekimian, Michael and Nonee Keshishian, Berj Minasian and his wife Dalita, Kristina Meza and her husband Dee; great grandchildren Stavro, Artemis and Stefanos Sophocleous, London and Presley Piro, Makai Meza.

A Funeral Service will be held at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 12:30 pm.

Remembrances in her name may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N. Orchard St., Fresno, Ca 93703. Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California (559)268-9292