Rejan Kalpakjian passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 while staying at her son’s house. She was born November 27, 1934 in Istanbul, Turkey to Marie Samune and Nazaret Kayaer. She grew up with and married her childhood sweetheart, Iskont Kalpakjian on October 30,1960. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends a year before his death. Theirs was a deep and abiding love.
Rejan is survived by her two devoted children, Norayr (Elizabeth) and Tanya, as well as her grandchildren Sofia, Elizabeth Rejan and Sevan. Rejan was an involved grandmother, one who liked to share her love of animals, nature and the serenity of the outdoors with her grandchildren. Rejan loved being able to live in Discovery Bay with her daughter, Tanya and granddaughter, Sofia for the last 10 years and she and Sofia had a special bond.
Rejan and Iskont brought their family to San Francisco in 1969. They owned and operated their own restaurant called Tanya’s for many years and Rejan was able to highlight her well known cooking skills. She shared her culinary skills at church bazaars and at private dinners as well. Two generations have watched her prepare Armenian dishes and her recipes have been handed down within the family. She took great pleasure in the gathering of her family and friends and was always a caretaker of those around her. Rejan had a quiet demeanor, the hallmark of which was her kindness and pure heart.
Family and friends may call Thursday, August 12th from 8:30 - 9:00 am at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic church in Oakland (650 Spruce Street) and the funeral service will be from 9:00 - 10:00 am at the church. After the service, the burial will take place at Union Cemetery, (11545 Brentwood Boulevard, Brentwood, California).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vartan Armenian Orphanage Fund, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland CA 94610 or the St. John Armenian Apostolic Church Artsakh Refugee Relief Fund, 275 Olympia Way, San Francisco, CA.
Arrangements under the direction of Brentwood Funeral Home, Brentwood, California.
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