Rose Krikorian

Rose Krikorian was born in Kars, Armenia as Goharig "Pearl" Garabedian. With her parents and sisters, she was hidden in the basement of a Turkish family who was friends of her father's, and eventually smuggled to Constantinople, and on to the United States where they settled in Los Angeles, CA. This made her one of the youngest and last survivors of The Armenian Genocide and the chaos of post World War I.

At age three, she tagged along with her oldest sister to school. A teacher who knew her to be a refugee child, decided to enroll her giving her the American name of Rose, and changing her birth year so she would be eligible for school. Thus began her deep love for reading that she continued throughout her entire life. Her favorite place as a child and young adult was The Central Library in downtown Los Angeles, where she would go with her sisters weekly. She even had multiple books checked out from the library on her iPad the week she passed away.

As a teenager, Rose traveled with an Armenian church youth group to see a baseball game between churches in Fresno, CA. Here she met Simon "Sam" Krikorian for the first time. Soon after, Sam traveled to Los Angeles, where he played in a band at an Armenian event, and it didn't take long before they were dating. They married just six months before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Sam was fortunate enough to stay stateside during World War II, serving as a musician for The United States Army Air Corps Band. Rose was able to be with him and served her country working as a financial controller for The U.S. Army Air Corps.

After the war, they settled back in Fresno, working very hard, loving each other greatly, and raising and loving their family. Rose worked at Sears selling cameras, office supplies, and furniture for many decades. After retirement, Rose and Sam loved spending much time with their siblings and their families throughout California.

Rose loved her God deeply. She studied daily and tried to emulate him by being kind, thoughtful, and non-judgmental at all times. She served Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church as a high school Sunday school teacher for many years.

Rose took care of Sam for many years as he struggled with and eventually passed from Parkinson's disease. She missed him daily.

After Sam's passing, Rose was content with her love of reading and the great love she had for her large extended family. She cherished the time she was able to spend with her children, nieces and nephews and their spouses, children and grandchildren as well.

She passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2017, in Fresno, CA. Rose lived a full and wonderful life and gave great joy and blessings to all those around her. She will be missed greatly.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Simon "Sam" Krikorian; parents, Kevork and Miriam Garabedian; siblings and their spouses, Bill and Elsie Pratty, Connie and Joe Kellejian, and John and Ann Garabedian. She was also preceded in death by her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and their spouses, Varsen and Paul Darbinian, George and Claire Krikorian, Armon and Jake Fathy, Edward and Mary Karahadian, Charles Boornazian, and Haig Kasparian; niece, Beverly Makrdichian; and nephew, Charles M. Boornazian.

Rose is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Margie Krikorian; daughter, Sharon Krikorian; sister-in-law, Charlotte Kasparian; and numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses, children and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly and equally.

Our family would like to thank Hinds Hospice; and The California Armenian Home for their care and support during Mom's final journey.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Fresno at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Ararat Armenian Cemetery in Fresno, CA. A luncheon celebration of Rose's life will be held after the service at The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Social Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rose's memory to Hinds Hospice, 2490 W Shaw, Ste. 101, Fresno CA, 93711; The California Armenian Home, 6720 East Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA 92727; or Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 2226 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93721.