Flora Garakian Sakalian

Flora Garakian Sakalian, beloved great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and sister, passed into eternal life on April 20, 2022, in Mission Viejo, California, at 100 years old. Flora was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 27, 1921, and she enjoyed a happy childhood as the first of three children. Her mother, Jessie, was a talented seamstress and her father, John, was a founder of Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church.

Flora would recall delightful memories of walks in St. James Park in the buggy with Horkoor, Friday night roller skating at the Shrine Auditorium, trips to the beach and movie theater in Downtown LA, and playing with her younger sister, Ruthie. Flora was bilingual, speaking both Armenian and English, and she spent over twenty-five years as an executive secretary at two companies in Los Angeles.

Flora met her first husband, Edward Sarkis Garakian, through her cousin Walter Altoon. Not long after their first date, Flora (then 22 years old) married Edward on January 8, 1944. While they couldn’t enjoy a true honeymoon due to Edwards’s busy work schedule, Flora had said about their marriage: “Our whole life was a wonderful honeymoon.”

They were married for 48 years until Edward’s death in 1992 due to complications from heart disease. Together, they had four children who are now all married with families of their own - Douglas (Patricia) Garakian, John (Margie) Garakian, Gary (Marsha) Garakian, and Terry (Jeff) Garton, all of whom survive Flora. A few years later she married Harry Sakalian, and they enjoyed many happy years together.

Following Harry’s death, though a second-time widow, Flora remained steadfast as the matriarch of her family, which has flourished into nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren, who now survive her. She is also survived by her sister Ruthie (Sam) Proodian.

Flora was a devout Christian who spent much time in prayer and reading the Bible; she was generous with her time and resources in giving to Ararat Home Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies Aid at Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, and Children’s Home Society of California. She will be remembered, among other things, for her sparkling laugh that drew so many people of good-will to her and for her kind, humble devotion to her family.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests a donation be made in Flora's memory to one of two organizations dear to her heart:

Ararat Home of Los Angeles, Inc.

Residential Care & Nursing Facilities

Attn: Ararat Home of L.A. Westside Guild

15105 Mission Hills Road

Mission Hills, CA 91345

https://ararathome.org/donations

Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church

9516 Downey Avenue

Downey, CA 90241

https://www.immanuelacc.org/give