Dorothy Kandarian

Dorothy Kandarian passed to her eternal home on May 7, 2009. She was a resident at Clearbrook Inn Assisted Living Center in Silverdale, Wash. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Doredda Kandarian; her husband of 41 years, Edward Kandarian, and her second husband John Ishkanian. She is survived by her children: daughter, Sharron Kanlian and son-in-law Sonny of Seabeck, Wash.; son, Bruce Kandarian of Coachella, Calif. She leaves three grandchildren, Stephan Kanlian (Joan), Shaunna Kanlian Duffy (Tim) and Joshua Kandarian; four great-grandchildren, Christian and Henry Kanlian and Grace and Zachary Duffy. Dorothy also leaves behind her sister, Lucille Huether of San Diego, Calif.; and brother, Harry Carian, Jr. of Visalia, Calif. Dorothy was born in Fresno, Calif., in 1917, to Harry and Virginia Carian. She attended local schools and graduated from Kern County High School. She attended Millinery School at Frank Wiggins Trade School where she learned to make suits, dresses and hats. She became very accomplished at sewing and handwork, and that talent continued throughout her life, including knitting and needlepoint. She married Edward Kandarian in Los Angeles in 1937, and they moved to the Coachella Valley in California, in 1942, where they established their farming business for 36 years, growing dates and table grapes. She was the office manager for several Orthopedic Surgeons in Indio and Palm Desert, Calif. She was known for her love of gardening and her beautiful rose garden. After being widowed for 16 years, Dorothy married a longtime friend of the family, John Ishkanian, and moved to his home in Hemet, Calif. in 1994, where they lived until his death in 2003. Dorothy was very involved in community activities throughout her life. She was a part of the "Mother's Choral Group" of Coachella Valley, an active member of Coachella School district PTA, a member of Indio Women's club, a member of Beta Sigma Phi International for 44 years, serving as President several terms, a member of Coachella Valley Chapter #360 of Eastern Star for 41 years and a member of Coachella Valley Museum and Historical Society in Indio, Calif. She also served several terms as President of the Palm Desert Women's Club, and was a member of the Native Daughters in Hemet, Calif. In 2004, Dorothy moved to Silverdale, Wash and Clearbrook Inn and Living Center where she was cared for with loving hands and hearts by the staff there. A celebration of life was held at Clearbrook Inn in Silverdale on May 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM. Interment will be private with a Celebration of Life in the Coachella Valley pending. The family suggests that donations be made to the following: The Armenian Tree Project, Dorothy Kandarian Memorial, 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472; Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, In memory of Dorothy Kandarian, 9516 Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90240.