Edith Ann Kassabian

Born in Los Angeles on January 23, 1948, Edie was the only child of George Vanderhof Bear and Isabelle (Gegarian) Bear. She was a graduate of Los Angeles High School, South Coast City College and CSU Fresno.

She started her career in voice communication with GTE Corporation in Huntington Beach, transferring to Reedley when her parents retired to the Fresno area. With the deregulation of the phone companies in 1983, she joined the staff at Community Hospitals of Central California where she continued her career in voice communication until her retirement in 2009.

She and her husband, Richard were married on October 22, 1983 at Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church with Reverends Roger Minassian and Harry Missirlian officiating. It was truly a joyous occasion.

Her interest in politics began while in high school where she served on the student council then as a “Nixonette” during the Nixon years. After her retirement she joined the Fresno City and County Republican Women Federated where she served as vice president.

She was a member of Peoples Church where many friendships were made especially through the Active Adults Ministry with the opportunity to travel both domestically and international. When asked which was her favorite, Israel was always her answer not only because of the Biblical History but this is where she was baptized in the Jordan river by Pastor Dale Oquist. She loved to shop, whether it was shoes in Italy, linens from the South of France or perfume in Paris. She was a Shalimar Girl.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, brother-in-law Carl Kassabian, sister-in-law Dianne Kassabian, nephew Greg Kassabian and wife Sara, niece Christine Gregory and husband John, grand niece Talia Kassabian and grand nephew Joshua Gregory. She is also survived by her Gegarian and Kerkorian cousins.

A private graveside service was held in Reedley. A Memorial Service will be held at Peoples Church in Fresno on Tuesday, February 20th at 11:00am.