Virginia Arakelian, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born on October 21, 1928 passed on September 7, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 91. She was known by all for her beautiful smile, vivacious personality and huge heart for all people and animals. One of five siblings, she grew up in Santa Cruz, a small town in northern New Mexico. At the age of 19, she joined her sister Anita who had moved to California. There, she met and married the love of her life, John Arakelian. After losing her beloved husband in 1966 at the young age of 37, she overcame incredibly difficult circumstances to find a way to support and raise her daughter, Paulette, who was 15 and her son, Bryan, who was 13 at that time. Within a few years, she succeeded as a restaurant manager and then opened two restaurants of her own. She continued her career serving others with Fresno Unified School District.
In years to come, she traveled the world with her children and helped raise her grandchildren as she resided with her daughter and son-in-law for almost 34 years until she went to be with our Lord. There are so many who simply called her “grandma” because she always treated them like family. She is survived by her daughter, Paulette Dupree and her husband, Mike Dupree, her son, Bryan Arakelian and his wife Susan Arakelian, her granddaughter Michele Jansma and her husband, Brandon Jansma, her grandson, Michael Dupree, and her two great grandchildren, Ryan and Micah Jansma.
The family thanks all for their continued prayers. Due to COVID-19, there will be a private service only. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Virginia are asked to donate to the Central California Animal Disaster Team at https://ccadt.org/.
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