Flora Shabanian

In Loving Memory of Flora Shabanian

Flora Shabanian, was born on August 3, 1933, in Yerevan, Armenia, then part of the Soviet Union. She was the daughter of Simon and Louise Kazangian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Her father, Simon, was a watchmaker from Kayseri, and her mother, Louise, was from Adana, both cities that were part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. After surviving the genocide during World War I, Simon and Louise met and married in Beirut Lebanon and settled in Istanbul, where their oldest son, Hagop, was born. In the 1920s, amid persecution and programs against Armenians, the family was forced to leave Turkey. They eventually settled in Greece, where Simon established a watch repair business. There, three more sons—Onik, Isaac, and Nick—were born.

In the early 1930s, the family left Greece and moved to Soviet Armenia, which at the time was encouraging Armenians from the diaspora to return. Flora was born in Yerevan in 1933 and was baptized in the Armenian Church at Etchmiadzin.

When Flora was still an infant, the family once again moved, this time to Tabriz, Iran, where a large Armenian community lived near the border with Armenia. Simon opened another watch repair business, working hard to support his growing family. Flora's younger brother, Paul, was born during these years, bringing the family to eight members.

Life in Tabriz was difficult, and the challenges increased during World War II, when Iran was occupied by Soviet and British forces. During this period, Simon became seriously ill and eventually died from a kidney infection, leaving Louise to raise the children on her own.

The family later moved from Tabriz to Tehran, the capital of Iran. Flora's oldest brother, Hagop, who was considerably older than she was, took on much of the responsibility of looking after his family and younger sister. He was determined that Flora receive a good education and enrolled her at the Joan of Arc French School. Although Flora grew up speaking Armenian and Turkish at home and Persian in everyday life, learning French proved difficult at first. True to her determined nature, however, she persevered and succeeded.

As a young woman, Flora became active in the Armenian community in Tehran. She attended dances and social gatherings with her brothers, and it was through them that she met their friend, Grich Shabanian. At the age of 19, Flora married Grich, despite her mother Louise's initial objections.

Flora and Grich began their married life as a young couple in postwar Tehran. Money was tight, and they rented a room in an apartment owned by an older Armenian couple. Their first child, Hasmik, was born during these early years of marriage.

Flora was a young mother, working hard to raise her daughter while supporting Grich as he sought to establish a career. Grich began working at a small photography studio in Tehran. Through contacts in the community, Flora helped him obtain a position as a photographer with the United States Point Four Program. The new position provided the young family with a better income and improved living conditions. During this period, their second and third children, Ara and Ed, were born.

Throughout the 1950s, Flora's mother and most of her brothers emigrated to the United States. After years on a waiting list, Flora's application to immigrate was finally approved in 1963. Around the same time, Flora was introduced to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. The faith became an important part of her life and remained so for the rest of her years.

Flora, Grich, and their children said goodbye to their friends and relatives in Iran and began a new chapter in the United States. They settled in the Boston area, where Flora's mother and three of her brothers were already living.

Grich found work at a photography studio in Westwood, Massachusetts, and the family settled in Bellingham, about an hour outside Boston. During this time, Flora trained as a hairdresser and earned her license. She began cutting hair to help supplement the family's income.

The family eventually moved to Needham, Massachusetts, bringing them closer to Boston and to Grich's work. Flora devoted herself primarily to being a homemaker and raising her children, while also working part time in a variety of jobs. At different times she worked as a hairdresser, a factory worker, and in a public school cafeteria.

In 1973, Flora and Grich moved to Glendale, California, to be closer to their daughter Jessie who was already married by then and to several of Flora's brothers who had settled in the area. Shortly afterward, Grich opened a photography studio in Sherman Oaks. Flora frequently helped him at the studio, especially on weekends when he was away photographing weddings.

As the years passed, Flora's children grew up, moved out, and began families of their own. Flora and Grich became empty nesters, but Flora's life remained anything but quiet. She maintained a very active social life through her church, friendships, and extended family. She loved visiting friends and relatives and welcoming them into her home.

Flora also cherished her role as a grandmother. In later years, she would often pick up her grandchildren from school and bring them home until their parents finished work. Her family remained one of the great joys of her life.

As Grich began to wind down his career, the couple had more opportunities to travel. They visited their son and daughter in Oregon whenever they could and enjoyed numerous trips to Europe, creating memories together during their later years.

After Grich underwent heart bypass surgery, his health never fully returned to what it had been. Flora devoted increasing amounts of her time and energy to caring for her husband. She was a devoted wife and remained by his side until his passing in 2011.

Following Grich's death, Flora found herself living alone and suddenly responsible for many of the day-to-day matters he had traditionally handled, including finances, home repairs, and other household affairs. With the help of her son Ara, she quickly learned to manage these responsibilities herself. Even in her late seventies, Flora remained independent, curious, and socially active. She attended classes at Glendale Community College to learn how to navigate the digital age, including how to use her new iPad.

In her early eighties, Flora began experiencing memory loss and eventually developed dementia. As living independently became increasingly difficult, Ara arranged for caregivers to assist her, initially part time and eventually around the clock. Flora remained in her home for many years, surrounded by familiar belongings and the care of those who loved her.

Eventually, 2 years ago Flora moved to Oregon to live with her other son Ed, where she spent the final two years of her long and remarkable life.

Flora passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2026, just 3 days after celebrating her 93rd birthday. She was fortunate to have had her son Ara visit from Los Angeles shortly before her passing. On her final day, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren in Oregon.

Flora's life spanned nearly a century and crossed continents, cultures, and generations. She was fluent in 3 languages and conversational in 2 more. Born to Armenian genocide survivors, she grew up in Armenia and Iran, built a family in Tehran, immigrated to America, and created a life filled with family, faith, friendship, hard work, and perseverance.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She faced hardships with determination, embraced new challenges with courage, and remained devoted to the people she loved.

Flora will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, extended family, and the many friends whose lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey.