Lorraine "Dolly" Agajanian

Lorraine Stepanian Agajanian was born to Haig and Faye Stepanian on December 18, 1925. She was the youngest of six children. Lorraine (Dolly) married Joe Agajanian in 1946 and together they had five children - Steve, Laura, Art, Debbie and Donna. Dolly passed away at the age of 98 on February 12, 2024.

Dolly was a woman who was defined by her motherhood and her work in the home. She raised 5 children - 4 of whom were born in just 5 years. Her deep organizational skills and dedication to her family helped her to raise those children and to withstand the onslaught of four rebellious teenagers at once. Dolly was known near and far as a fantastic cook - for our nightly meals, for our parties or impromptu gatherings, and for her legendary Christmas feasts. After 34 years of marriage to her beloved husband Joe - who died way too soon in 1980 - Dolly continued on as the matriarch of our family. Her house remained the hub for both our family gatherings and for our extended family Christmas celebrations. Those yearly gatherings were the glue that kept not just her kids, but her grandchildren together, and we are all deeply grateful to her for that gift.

During her child rearing years, Dolly managed to find time to follow her interests - taking college classes, needlepointing, and tending a lovely garden which always included gardenias and lemons. One of her many virtues was to keep her heart, her door and her kitchen table always open - not just for her children and grandchildren, but for all her relatives.

To her family's endless amusement Dolly loved to laugh, and she had an epic one - head thrown back, mouth wide open, whole body shaking and arm clenching her stomach. To our delight, the sound of that laughter would often echo through the vents in our childhood home. Thankfully, that laugh of hers continued to the end of her life, and it was a source of immense warmth and joy for her entire family. We will all miss her dearly.

Lorraine is survived by her 5 children, Steve Agajanian, Laura Katangian (m. Dennis), Art Agajanian, Debra Kousouros (m. James), and Donna Agajanian; her 11 grandchildren: Jenny and Holly Agajanian, Jack, Dennis and Kay Katangian Todd (m. Chris), Joe and Steve Agajanian, Joe, Chris and Sophia Kousouros, and Lucia Rae Agajanian; and her 3 great grand-children, Wrigley and Eloise Todd, and Katherine James Agajanian. She also had a large and loving extended family whom she was devoted to and loved dearly.

Contributions in memory of Dolly can be made to Ararat Home online @ AraratHome.org or by check made out to Ararat Home, mail to 15105 Mission Hills Road. Mission Hills, CA 91345