Jeanette Kesdekian

Jeanette "Shandig" Kesdekian was only 15 when she came to America, having lost her parents in the Armenian genocide in the Ottomon Empire that wiped out more than 1.5 million Armenians during and after World War I.

The former Jeannette Varvarian died Dec. 7 at the age of 94. She was living at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, but her home was in Drexel Hill.

After her escape from the Ottomans, Jeannette spent a short time in France, being cared for by an aunt, before she arrived in the United States. She married the late Andrew Kesdekian and they ran a tailoring business in Delaware County for more than 30 years.

"Jeannette was a very caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, confidant and angel to multitudes of people throughout her life," her family said.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Dulgerian, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by another daughter, Gladys "Seve" Ghazikian.

Services: Were Saturday. Burial was in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill. Contributions in her name may be made to Ss. Sahag and Mesrob Church, 630 Clothier Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096. *

- John F. Morrison