Marion Shuklian

Marion Shuklian, of Visalia, CA, passed away on July 21, 2025 after a long and fulfilling life. Marion was born on August 5, 1939, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Menag and Isabelle Bendian. She grew up with her older brother Jack and graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1959.

While attending Fairleigh Dickinson College, Marion won $1000 in an essay contest. She decided to go on an adventure and buy a plane ticket to California to visit relatives in Reedley whom she had never met. Her plan was to be gone for only 2 weeks. Her 2-week trip turned into a 3-month trip where she met the love of her life, Armen Shuklian. They were married in 1961 and had four children: Michael, Valerie, Craig, and Allison.

Marion worked for Visalia Unified School District for over 35 years. First in the Special Friends program at Mt. View Elementary School, then as a teacher’s assistant for Mr. Winkler’s 7th grade science class at Divisadero Junior High School, and finally, the last 25 years as a clerk at Hurley Elementary School. She loved her job, the kids, and forged many special friendships along the way.

Marion was joyful, kind, generous and compassionate. She loved to cook and bake all the delicious Armenian food. She would always be trying new recipes, and they were always good. She enjoyed reading and, of course, watching “her shows”. Most importantly, Marion was a terrific Mom and Grandma. Her children were her life: she worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, and always kept on loving them. She always cherished visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved and adored very much.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Armen, her parents, Menag and Isabelle, and her brother, Jack. She is survived by her children: Michael (Cathy), Valerie (Michael), Craig (Pat), and Allison (Kellie), her grandchildren: Hillary, Ashley, Alex, Ryan, and Austin, her great-grandchildren Finley, Jaxon, Tyler and Elliot, her sisters-in-law, Alice Bendian and Elsie Palian and many nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be held on August 11, 2025, starting at 9:00am followed by the funeral service at 10:30am. Viewing and services will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA. Graveside services to follow at 12:00pm at the Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.