Shake Balekjian

Shake Balekjian was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a pilar of the southern California Armenian-American community. Born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1930, to Artin Kitabjian and Beatrice Matossian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Shake graduated from the American High School for Girls and the Beirut College for Women. In 1954, she came to the USA with her brother, Dr. Greg Ketabgian, to join her sister Arpene Simonian in Chicago.
Shake visited her uncles in Pasadena and decided to move to California. In 1960, she met biochemist Garbis Balekjian and they married and settled in Glendale. Shake and Garbis grew up in Aleppo, and knew many of the same people and places, but only met after coming to Los Angeles. Their daughter Arpie was born in 1961 and son Gary in 1968. They attended St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena. When St. Gregory needed help with the Sunday school, Garbis volunteered to became Superintendent and Shake his chief assistant, teacher and helper, roles they reprised in the 1970s and 80s. Together they organized many successful Christmas luncheons, bake sales and swim parties. Shake also taught Armenian Saturday School. Shake and Arpene were incredible cooks and prepared countless meals for family, friends, and fellow churchgoers.
After retiring from her 30-year career as an Armenian interpreter for the L.A. County Superior Court, Shake joined the St. Gregory's Ladies Society. Shake was a fifty-year member of the Pasadena chapter of the Daughters of Vartan and held several leadership positions. She generously supported many Armenian causes including the Ararat Home of L.A., the St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, Knights of Vartan, AGBU, AMAA and the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. Shake also created popular YouTube cooking videos to share traditional Armenian recipes with future generations.
Shake was a devoted American-Armenian who served her people, faith and family. She defeated cancer four times, but she could not defeat the cancer that took her beloved daughter Arpie. And despite her grief, she never lost her faith, her hope and her love of life, family, and friends.
Shake is survived by her son Gary (Janet) Balekjian, three grandchildren, Ariel (Cody) Kesterke, Albert Balekjian and Karina Balekjian, great-grandson Ezra Kesterke and brother Dr. Gregory Ketabgian (Alice). Shake was predeceased by her husband Garbis and daughter Arpie. Services will be at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at noon, Old North (red) Church. In lieu of flowers, please direct any kind acts to St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, 2215 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.