Nell Hagopian

These are the words that our Mom said to our dad as she walked by and tapped him on the head at the Hotel Fresno in the late 1940's. Dad did wait for Mom and the brown eyed girl with the wonderful sense of humor and the painfully shy gentleman were together for almost 40 years until Dad's passing on December 27, 1989. In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 17, 2016, Mom joined our dad once again.

Mom was born on June 25, 1919, the fifth of seven children of the late Dickran "Bobby" and Helen "Nonny" Merzoian. She was extremely proud of her family and never missed an opportunity to remind us of the work ethic and responsibilities instilled in the Merzoian children by their parents, whose first task in their new country was to learn English. After graduating from Roosevelt High School and business college, Mom became a Gal Friday in various office jobs at Fresno's Hammer Field and local real estate and insurance offices who benefited from her excellent shorthand and typing skills. She truly enjoyed her working years but "retired" to become a full time traditional homemaker, much to the delight of her family. Many enjoyed Mom's culinary skills as she often shared her treats, especially during her children's grammar school days when she was a room mother.

Summers were fun with trips to Disneyland and of course her beloved Santa Cruz, which began for Mom in the 1940's, with dances at the Coconut Grove Ballroom with her sister Margaret and good friends, including the late Betty Ochinero Fry ("Belford"). These Santa Cruz trips continued with her grandchildren even when she was in her early nineties. Mom and Dad always made a trip to Reno or Lake Tahoe after our Santa Cruz trips to try their luck with the one armed bandits.

Mom had hundreds of stories from her single days, which could have easily been plots for the old black and white movies. Simple times but good times, with close neighborhoods and get togethers with the cousins of her generation. As the Mayor of Vagedes, for years Mom's front yard was the place to be on the Fourth of July for anyone who wanted to bring a chair and enjoy the fireworks. Mom was a voracious reader and always had a puzzle book nearby. But first she made sure that 75 percent of Fresno's bird and squirrel population was fed in her backyard. In her later years, Mom enjoyed going for rides on the weekends. We often went by the old neighborhood at First and Grant where Mom could name every family who lived in each house when she was growing up.

Longevity has its rewards, but also the sadness of losing your "everyday people." Mom's final loss was in September of last year, with the passing of our good friend, Doris Garabedian.

In addition to our dad, Kersam "Kay" Hagopian, Mom was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Grace and George Durham, Gladys and Henry Whittaker, Lloyd Thatcher, Sandra Merzoian, and Vi and Vaughn Rustigan.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jeanne Hagopian; daughter, Susy Hagopian; her beloved grandchildren, Miss Aubrie Hagopian, and Troy Hagopian and his wife Amy; and her precious great-granddaughter, Sophia Rose Hagopian, who was born on Valentine's Day but did not get to meet her great-grandmother; her sister and best friend, Margaret Thatcher; her brother and sister-in-law, Mitchell and Eleanor Merzoian; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Hagopian; and many neighborhood friends, nieces and nephews also survive our mom.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mom's wonderful caregivers, Rose Hair and Adriana Galindo, who took excellent care of our Mom, allowing her to stay at home, which is exactly where she wanted to be. You are family.

We are grateful to the dedicated team of the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit at Clovis Community Medical Center who treated Mom with dignity, respect and absolute love; and to Bruce Nakashian, D.D.S., and his wonderful team. It was never a trip to the dentist for our mom. She loved "working the room" and the attention that all of you gave her.

A special thank you to family and friends, old and new, who checked in by phone, emails and texts. We never felt alone during this difficult time.

A private Graveside Service was held.

If you would like to honor Mom's memory, please do so with a donation to the Poverello House; or your favorite charity.

When it was becoming increasingly difficult for Mom to speak, she always managed to say "I'm okay" and now she truly is. We love you Mom. We know you're making the angels laugh.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.