Obituary of Armenoosh Casparian Shahbazian

Armenoosh Casparian Shahbazian, a fifty-five year resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie and formerly of Peekskill, peacefully passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at her home with Edward, her devoted and loving husband of 62 years by her side. She was 86.

Daughter of the late Manoog and Perooz Hovsepian Casparian Mirzaian, she was born June 4, 1934 in Peekskill. After completing high school, graduating as salutatorian, she became a graduate of Katharine Gibbs College of New York City in 1954 and maintained a successful career as an executive assistant with an advertising agency in Manhattan.  On April 4, 1959, she married Edward K. Shahbazian in Peekskill. They began living in New Jersey and by 1966 moved to Poughkeepsie.

Armenoosh, a faithful and active member of Fishkill Baptist Church, was involved in many volunteer activities and served on several committees.  She helped to form what is now the Fishkill Baptist Nursery School; was a dedicated Pioneer Girls program leader; served as a Deacon; participated in the Living Well program; and served on the Missions Committee to name but a few.  She loved her church family and enjoyed the many opportunities to serve the community.  

After working for 36 years as a Real Estate Agent, she retired in January 2020 from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Fishkill.  It was a joy and honor for her to help a customer find a place to call home. Very proud of her Armenian heritage and of her legacy as a first-generation American, she co-chaired the Mid Hudson Valley Armenian Club for years with gusto.  She was an accomplished home cook, having attended several classes at the Culinary Institute of America, loved to travel and was an avid gardener.  She’ll forever be remembered for regularly bringing her extended family together, hosting the warmest and most welcoming annual family Christmas dinners, and garden tours for her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Elegant, principled, faithful, loving and gracious, she always had a kind word to say and a well wish to give.  She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

In addition to her beloved husband, Edward K. Shahbazian, she is survived by her children, Michael Shahbazian and his fiancé Pamela Klym of Tampa, Florida; David Shahbazian and his wife, Erna of Kingston, New York; and Karen Shahbazian Berliner and her husband, Jeff of Princeton, New Jersey; her greatest joys, her grandchildren, Andrew and Kevin Shahbazian, Ani Shahbazian, and Rachel and Sarah Berliner; her sister-in-law Nancy Casparian; her cousins who were like brothers, Haig Casparian (wife Kathryn), Armen Manasar (wife Nora), and Jack Boyajian (late wife Miriam); her sister-in-law and brother-in-law by marriage, Ruth and Sarkis Bedevian; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  She was predeceased by her dear brothers, Casper and Aram Casparian, sister-in-law, Novart Casparian and many very close aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 29, 2021 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Mike Mura officiating. Masks must be worn inside the funeral home. A live stream of her service will be available on the funeral home’s website. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9 in Fishkill. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Armenoosh’s name may be made to Armenian EyeCare Project https://eyecareproject.com/ , the Fishkill Baptist Church Missions Committee http://fishkillbaptist.net/ or Bounty & Soul https://bountyandsoul.org/

To send a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.