Gladys Jamgotchian

91 Years of Gift Giving

Gladys Jamgotchian, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister went to be with our Heavenly Father an April 28, 2017. She was born in Fresno, California on October 3, 1925 to the late Kachig and Rose Hampartzoomian

.

She and her family were devoted to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. No matter the season or weather, both sisters walked over a mile to and from church until their beloved father Hyrig bought a car. As a child, after Sunday School, she and her sister Virginia would go upstairs to sit on the floor to learn all of the church songs. Gladys attended Roosevelt High School and Austin's Beauty College. Upon graduation, she worked for Mr. Montgomery at La Vogue Beauty Shoppe on Wishon and Van Ness. She married Peter Jamgotchian on June 5, 1948 and worked until their "Number 1" Son, Jerry was born in March 1951. She stayed home and raised him along with her adorable curly haired daughter, Jill their second God given blessing, who was born in September 1953.

After Gladys' children were grown, her good friend, Mary Hokokian, invited her to come and work with her at the Roosevelt High School Cafeteria. Gladys was quickly hired and started serving breakfast and developing new friendships. She truly enjoyed working there for over 10 years and retired with Mary.

Gladys thrived on being busy and proudly sang in the Holy Trinity choir for over 60 years, only missing a Sunday church service due to illness or being out of town. She was very active in the Holy Trinity Ladies Guild where she was delighted to offer her special talents of creating beautiful floral arrangements and elegant desserts for church events. She embroidered beautifully and enjoyed giving her handmade gifts to friends and family, and was

pleased to donate her embroidered dish towels and other keepsakes to support various Church Bazaars. Gladys also treasured her involvement with the Armenian American Citizens League,Armenian Home Guild and Hamazkayin Choir. She was always eager to help at Holy Trinity by serving lunch, making Yalanchi, Kufta, and decorating the church hall with flowers; often using the stunning roses from her own home garden. She was proud to be awarded with a Certificate of Merit by Holy Trinity for her service and contribution to the church as well as being named Mother of the Year in 2012. Gladys loved to entertain her friends. She hosted many luncheons and cherished her involvement with her Card Group, Birthday group, and Hokejash Group. All were very important to her and she would seize upon every opportunity to help any group celebrate or hold a get together. The word "No" was not in her vocabulary as she lived to make everyone happy, every day of her life. Family always came first to Gladys. "My Boy" was heard anytime her son Jerry was seen or mentioned. Her daughter Jill was her right hand and best friend, always there for her, especially when her health declined. Her grandchildren were also precious to her and she made sure that they knew how much she loved and supported them. She always brought the family together and made sure that everyone knew they were cared for and loved unconditionally. She was the life of every party and loved to handwrite letters to help express her love and offer her words of wisdom.

A special and sincere thank you is extended by her family to Dr. Jeannine Laramie and the St. Agnes Medical Center nursing staff who gave Gladys such compassionate, constant and loving care. Gladys was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Peter and is survived by her son Jerry Jamgotchian, his wife Patti and grandchildren Nicole and Krista, her daughter Jill and son-in-law Don, her grandson Jason Davis and his wife Cassandra, her sister Virginia Murachanian and her family, as well as many cousins who Gladys deeply loved.

Her physical presence will certainly be missed by all, but the gifts she gave during her 91 years an earth will continue to live on forever.

Viewing will be held on Friday, May 5, 4-7pm at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Church.

ln honor of Gladys her family asks that memorial contributions be sent to the

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Choir Robe Fund, 2226 Ventura Ave., Fresno, CA 93721.

Arrangements under the direction of Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, Fresno, CA.