Christine Balabanian

1938 - 2021

Christine Balabanian
April 2, 1938 - November 8, 2021
Christine Balabanian passed peacefully in her sleep on November 8, 2021 at the age of 83 in San Francisco after battling cancer for two and a half years. David, her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, was at her side.

Christine's life was international and her experiences made her interesting, entertaining and special to her loved ones and friends. Christine was born in Asansol, India, near Kolkata on April 2, 1938 to Sarkis and Sourpick Madath. Her Armenian family had settled there for many years but eventually moved to Paris when she was 8 and then to Wimbledon, England where she stayed until she married David, who was studying at Oxford, in June 1962. She lived in Cambridge, MA for three years while David attended law school and then they relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. They lived in the City for a few years and moved across the Bay to Berkeley in 1968 where they raised their children. In 1999, they moved back to San Francisco, this time to Russian Hill, where Christine resided until her passing. Wherever Christine went, she adapted to the culture and she connected with the people and communities.

Christine's career began as a translator for the French government. She was also a secretary at Harvard University and Business Week, before taking a hiatus to raise her children. Once the nest emptied, she took a sales position at a jewelry store in the San Francisco Gift Center. She loved interacting with and helping clients, and she enjoyed the company and camaraderie of her colleagues.

Christine loved the arts, especially theater and opera. She loved dancing, especially with her brother Garo, and she enjoyed many types of music including big band and disco. Given her years in Wimbledon, she was naturally an avid tennis follower who never missed a grand slam match on TV. With her children and their friends she shared a passion for the San Francisco Giants that was founded at Candlestick Park in the 70's and 80's.

Christine was a self-taught chef who enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home. With her exceptional culinary skills she prepared delicious, and often excessive, feasts for large and small gatherings. While Armenian pilaf, kofta, dolma and boreg were her most famous dishes, her menu spanned multiple cuisines. She was an unparalleled hostess who demonstrated her love by nourishing and caring for people.

She was also unparalleled as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was the heart of her family. Christine was known affectionately as "Mom" by her children's friends because she treated them like family. She even relished being a grandma to her daughter's dogs. She was a most nurturing, compassionate, loving and charming woman.

Christine is survived by her husband David, daughter Lisa, son Mark, daughter-in-law Kristin, granddaughter Nina, grandson Garo, brother Michael Madath, sisters-in-law Jenny Madath and Doris Rudolph, and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Yvonne Catchick and brother Garo Madath.

A celebration of Christine's life will be held at a date to be determined.