Mrs. Jasmine Markarian

It was an incredible privilege to have been raised by someone as extraordinary as our beloved Jasmine Markarian.

The many who met her throughout the lifetime she lived in Fresno, CA might have assumed she was a native of the valley; perfect English elocution and grammar, elegant understated taste in style, encyclopedic knowledge of movie stars, current events, and literature...

But the reality was something quite different. She was born in Istanbul, Turkey, Jasmine Odabachian, first daughter of Karekin and Noemi Odabachian, in a climate of fear as her parents were planning and praying for the opportunity to escape from the ever present overhanging threat to the lives of all Armenians in the region. Her parents had migrated to Istanbul from the eastern region of Anatolia, from Erzerum, in the basin of the Euphrates River. When they were finally able to board a ship and reach the safety of Marseilles, France, their voyage to the United States was delayed by the imminent birth of their second daughter Angel. The next boat available to the Americas turned out to be headed to Mexico, and knowing they had to continue on, they sailed across the Atlantic and arrived at Vera Cruz, eventually making their way to Mexico City, where their third daughter Iris was eventually born.

Through the sacrifices of her parents and the generosity of her uncle Joren, Jasmine was able to be educated in the American school in Mexico City, thus growing up trilingual, fluent in Spanish, American English, and Armenian, as well as being exposed to American culture. Because of the diaspora of Armenians around the world, Jasmine had the opportunity in the late 1930's to visit relatives in Fresno, CA, where in a scene typical of a Frank Capra movie, she met her future husband when he came home and found her napping in his bed. Teddie Markarian's family had come from a region in Armenia near the headwaters of the Tigris, and like the confluence of the two famous rivers, their flirtation and courtship led to a marriage that became iconic among friends and family alike. They were a perfect match, energetic, fun loving, clever, incredibly social and embracing of so many friends...curious about everything! They had two children, Patti and Johnny, and filled them with the same curiosity and cultural respect that fueled their own endeavors. Eventually their hard work and savings enabled them to begin what would become a second life of world travel...negotiated by such questions as "Shall we build a better bathroom or take a trip?".... Take a trip, of course. "Shall we get a new car or take a trip?"....and so on, and so on. They eventually travelled to all corners of the world, with Ted, the avid and accomplished photographer, delighting friends and family with exquisite photos, while Jasmine wrote beautiful journals and letters, and picked up numerous other languages, recipes, and an international assortment of friends, with whom she corresponded her entire life.

She guided her husband and family to a world of music, art, international awareness, formal education, but more importantly relentless self education. She and her family participated in activities such as the Fresno Symphony, Fresno Community Theater, Fresno Children's Theater, art and cultural museums, Town Hall, local politics and community action, etc...all of which she and her family supported in multiple fashions, including many direct leadership roles.

In 1960, Jasmine and Teddie, through their talented friend, Robert Revilla, designed and built their dream home on Van Ness Boulevard near the beginning of Christmas Tree Lane. They lived their lives out in that home, and it was late in the evening of Friday, June 10, 2016, from within that home, surrounded and held by family, that Jasmine finally was able to embark on one final trip to reunite in some heavenly cruise ship with her beloved Teddie. If this was a normal life rather than an extraordinary life, that would be the sweet end of our story, but there is one more twist to the tale.

On the day Jasmine passed away, their dream house began to shut down in concert with Jasmine, first the air conditioning, then the electrical system failing in an erratic mode leaving only a handful of plugs functioning. Luckily the weather was cooperative and mild, so that fans working on one good plug kept a natural cool night breeze flowing through the room. Battery lanterns bathed the living room in an intimate soft warmth that was almost like a scene in one of those romantic 1930's movies that she loved so much. Everyone was profoundly moved and mystified.

We wanted to share this scene because it was.... well.... extraordinary.

She still remains close and living on in the hearts of daughter, Patti and her husband Frank; her grandchildren, Michael and Julie, and their spouses, Nancy and Guy, and their families; her son, John and wife Susie, and family; sisters, Iris and Angel, and their families; countless Odabachians, Markarians, and Baloians; cousins; dear friends, and extended family.

A profound thanks to our longtime devoted caregivers, Mina, Leonora and Marlyn; as well as lifelong friends, Kinzels, Revillas, Elgorriagas, Hannas, Panas's, Jan Hewitt and too many others to name. A special thanks to Mark and Margaret Shirin. We lack sufficient words to thank Dr. Steven Chooljian and his loving staff. Lastly, we wish to acknowledge the compassionate care provided by the staff of St. Agnes Hospice. Jasmine thanks you all.

A Funeral Service will be held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment to follow at Belmont Memorial Park.

Remembrances may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 2226 Ventura St. Fresno, CA 93721 or St. Agnes Hospice, 6729 N. Willow #103, Fresno, CA 93710.