Shakie Lillian Vajaibian Macher

Shakie Lillian Vajaibian Macher, 79, of Roanoke, Va., died on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Macher was born on December 29, 1929, in Jamaica, N.Y., and was the daughter of Dikron and Anna Jorjorian Vajaibian. She attended public schools in New York City, and worked briefly as a telephone operator for Bell Atlantic Telephone Company in New York.
On February 1, 1951, she married Roland Werner Macher who preceded her in death on September 6, 1985. The family settled in Wayne, N.J., for many years before relocating to Harrisonburg, Va., in 1970. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Dodakian, of Belmont, Mass., and Elizabeth Bolstein, of Chichester, N.Y.
Mrs. Macher was instrumental in starting the family's restaurant business in Harrisonburg, and for over 30 years, she welcomed and cared for customer's at Spanky's Restaurant. Shakie had a special place in her heart for all children and considered her grandchildren the love of her life. She was a member of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church and the VFW auxiliary. Mrs. Macher relocated to Roanoke, Va., in 2006 to be closer to family.
Mrs. Macher is survived by two sons, Roland H. "Spanky" Macher and his former wife, Margaret S. Macher, special friend and guardian, for Mrs. Macher during her years in Roanoke, both of Roanoke, and Richard Macher and wife, Elizabeth, of Salem, Va.; one daughter, Robin M. Albrecht and husband, Scott, of Manassas, Va.; one sister, Rose Ackerman, of Salinas, Calif.; two nephews, Richard Ackerman, of Salinas, Calif., and Arthur Ackerman, of Columbia, S.C.; three nieces, Carol Ann Ackerman, of Freemont, Calif., Jenny Kyvelos, of Bedford, Mass., and Ann Korian, of Northville, Mich.; seven grandchildren, Michael A. Albrecht, Roland C. Macher, Lauren M. Macher, Laura E. Albrecht, Madison A. Macher, Patrick C. Macher and R. Harrison Macher; and her Yorkshire Terrier, "Ollie."
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Va., with the Rev. David Nelson and Chaplin First Lt. Chris Myers officiating. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery. The family will receive friends and loved ones between 1 and 2 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
The family did receive all friends and loved ones in her home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening for a celebration of her life.
Memorial contributions may be sent to James Madison University, Advancement Gifts and Records, 800 South Main Street, MSC 3603, Harrisonburg, Va. 22807. Make checks payable to JMU Foundation and the memo line should read Macher Scholarship.
Arrangements by the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Va., 540-434-1359. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.