GLADYS POOCHIGIAN

Zartouhi "Gladys" Poochigian was born on February 28, 1926, and passed away on Monday, November 21, 2011. Her parents, Garabed Minasian and Martha (Zakoian) Minasian, provided a very loving home for their two children, Zartouhi and Kirkor. It is hard to imagine a closer relationship between parents, a brother and sister. She often spoke in the most glowing terms about her wonderful childhood growing up in a pleasant working class neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, where life's simple pleasures provided a wealth of good memories. As a young woman, Gladys ventured to California where she met the man of her dreams, Suren "Frank" Poochigian. They were married in January 1948, and started their new life in Fresno. Gladys went from working in an office tower in downtown Chicago to living on the family farm. She was immediately embraced by all members of the extended Poochigian family and cherished her relationship with all of them. Gladys and Frank Poochigian had their first son, Charles Suren, in May 1949. Robert Suren was born in January 1953, and Gary Suren was born in March 1955. While Frank tended to his farming responsibilities, Gladys provided a nurturing home and was active in many of her children's activities and served in various parental leadership roles in the Lone Star community southeast of Fresno. Gladys and Frank enjoyed nearly 57 years of marriage raising their sons, traveling the world, and building wonderful memories with friends and family whose relationships they valued deeply. In 1978, the first of eight grandchildren was born. The grandchildren lived nearby and there was a strong bond of love and affection between them and their grandparents. Gladys was very proud of each of them. In 2006, she was blessed with the first of three great-grandchildren who brought her much joy. Material things mattered little to her; she viewed her family as her greatest treasure. When Frank passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 2004, Gladys suffered sorrow that she never overcame. She often spoke to her children and grandchildren about her sense of loss. She underwent surgery in Redwood City in early November. The care she received was extraordinary - for which her family is very thankful. During this time, virtually every member of the immediate family spent considerable time with her. The family thanks physicians Steve Chooljian, Bill Owen, Robert Bennett and Vince Gaudiani, and all of the nurses and other hospital staff who were angels in service to Gladys. She was recovering from surgery when her life on earth came to a sudden end. The family is comforted by Gladys' own words: In giving her family reassurance during the time of her surgery and to her last day, she said she had a great life, God blessed her in so many ways, she had no regrets, and she looked forward to being in the company of her loving husband and parents again. Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank; parents, Garabed and Martha; and brother, Kirk Minasian. Gladys is survived by her sons, Chuck and his wife Debbie, Bob and his wife Nancy, and Gary and his wife Pam. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Mark and his wife Jennifer, Amanda, Kirk and his wife Stephanie, Laura, Celeste, Bobby, Brett and Heather. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Deran, Anna and Julia, and a very large, loving extended family. Visitation will be held at the Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Friday, November 25, 2011, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church or the California Armenian Home.