Sharon Mary Kezirian, (Kakligian), 95, of Shiloh, IL, born Monday, July 1, 1929, in Granite City, IL, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Mar-Ka Nursing Home in Mascoutah, IL.
Shamiram (Sharon) Mary Kakligian was born in Granite City, Illinois, in 1929. Her parents came from Armenia. Therefore, she grew up speaking Armenian in her childhood home with her two older sisters. Her earliest memory was falling asleep in her father’s lap at an Armenian dance festival. Her sisters later moved to Niagara Falls, New York, where Sharon took her first trip so she could see her sister’s wedding. Meanwhile, Shum, as she was nicknamed, remained in the Saint Louis Metro East area of Illinois. In school, her favorite class was home economics because she got to learn how to cook. After she graduated high school, she began working at the International Shoe Factory where she was a bookkeeper. She met her husband, Hrant, at an Armenian Youth Federation Dance, where she said it was love at first sight. After getting married, she supported her husband’s dry-cleaning business and had four “awesome” children, whom she said taught her the greatest lesson in life: a mother’s love for her children is greater than anything.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Husband, Hrant Kezirian
- Daughter, Mary Kezirian
- Parents, Aghayeg and Zavart (Der Khatchadurian) Kakligian
- Sisters:
- Lucille Avdoian
- Rose Meharian
- Nephews:
- Jack Meharian
- Gary Meharian
- Sister-in-law, Agnes Kezirian
Surviving are her:
- Sons:
- John Kezirian of Belleville, IL
- Stephan Kezirian (Julia Townsend) of Imperial, MO
- Charles Kezirian (Trudy Kline) of Shiloh, IL
- Grandchildren:
- Tai Kezirian
- Elijah Kezirian
- Grace Kezirian
- Daughter-in-law, Tien Kezirian of St. Louis, MO
- Nephew, Richard (Nancy) Avdoian of Fairview Hgts, IL
- Nieces:
- Deborah (Deacon Albert) Amato of Niagara Falls, NY
- Pamela Avdoian of Las Vegas, NV
- Lori Meharian of Williamsville, NY
- Great niece and nephews:
- Alexian Avedis Amato
- Karine Lucine Amato
- Gregory Ara Avdoian
- John Nishan Avdoian
- James Sahag Avdoian
- Great great nephews:
- Zachary Avdoian
- Bennett Avdoian
- Special cousin, Takouhie Kakligian of Fairview Heights, IL
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church Granite City, IL or Holy Virgin Mary Shoghagot Armenian Church in Belleville, IL.
Services: Private services will be held October 18, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home,with interment at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, IL.
