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Florence Kalunian, of Modesto, passed away Thursday, April 17th, at age 94. She was born the youngest of five children in Fresno to Nahom and Vahida Hait. Florence’s family moved to Huntington Park in Southern California in the early 1920s where she spent her childhood and enjoyed helping her father in his grocery business throughout her adolescence. She went on to graduate from Huntington Park High School in 1937, where she was active in Glee Club, Athletic Club, and Scholarship Federation. She continued her education by enrolling at a local business college, at the same time working at a nearby National Dollar Store. Later she went to work for J.J. Newberry, followed by her employment as a proficient typist at Southern California Edison Company. Florence met her future husband, Arthur Kalunian, at a family wedding. After Art’s return from World War II in December 1945, they were married in Long Beach in January 1946. The newlywed couple lived briefly in San Francisco before settling in Modesto in 1947. Florence spent late evenings cross checking tax forms with Art in the early years of his CPA practice. She was an impeccable cook and homemaker, and her main focus was that of a loving wife and mother, both of which she did to perfection. Florence was an art lover and attended painting classes as an adult at Modesto Junior College. She was also a master seamstress for her family. A great joy in her life was taking care of her beautiful garden, which remains filled with roses, azaleas, lilies, and a variety of other lovely flowers. Art and Florence traveled extensively with many dear friends and family throughout their later life. They visited China, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, the Panama Canal, Europe, and the United States. Florence loved to play bridge with her bridge club well into her later years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where for many years she belonged to the Women’s Church Circle. Above all else, Florence was a deeply loving and caring individual who cherished her family. She is survived by her great love of 68 years, Arthur Kalunian, as well as her two children, David (Kathy) Kalunian and Ellen (Ken) Reed. She loved immensely her two grandchildren, Breanna and Victoria. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides her parents, Florence was preceded in death by siblings Valentine, Mary, Jacob, and Julia. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thurs., Apr. 24, at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., Apr. 25, also at Turlock Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Turlock Memorial Park. Florence’s love of animals can be continued with memorials being made in her name to the SPCA, 4733 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto, CA 95357.

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Florence Helen Kalunian

September 19, 1919 - April 17, 2014