Evelyn Louise Sanoian

(October 13, 1921-September 8, 2024)

Mom was born Evelyn Louise Ihde in Port Costa, California on October 13th, 1921. That's up from Oakland on the East Bay. She moved from there when she was about 4 to the Fresno area. Her father, Frederick Ihde, was a carpenter so they moved around the Fresno area primarily and once as far, I think, as Eagle Rock in Los Angeles County. Each time her dad got a new job in a different location they would move to a close by area and rent a house there. She has a list of over 30 homes where they had lived.
Mom had three brothers: Chuck, John, Warren and a sister, Elma.

Mom married Albert Leonard Sanoian in 1940 and they had five children between 1942 and 1950: Steve, Leonard, Donna, Jerry and Joanne ... all born and raised in Fresno.

Mom helped backup Dad when he had a fruit market and then when he later had a hardware store, Blackstone Building Supplies. Later Dad took on the job of buying houses at auction to be moved onto the buyer's property. Dad later turned to house and apartment rentals then later to commercial rentals.  Mom was Dad's constant companion, advisor, organizer and stay and home mom. "Working at Home" was nothing new to Evelyn.

Her numerous hobbies and interests included sewing, crocheting afghans and also oil painting from time to time onto trays or canvas. She was an expert at Rummikub, a table game she really loved and several different card games like Spite and Revenge, Kings in the Corner and Canasta.

Mom is a long-time member of St. Paul's Armenian Apostolic Church and was a member of St. Paul's Ladies' Guild, helping prepare and/or serve in food lines at numerous events like the Blessing of the Grapes picnics and others. She and Dad loved to entertain at home during their years together.  She learned to cook Armenian food from Grandma Sanoian and the Aunties!  Dad loved to BBQ and make Shish Kebab.

After years of hard work and raising 5 children, Mom and Dad took up travelling, touring and cruising, meeting new friends on every trip!  This and welcoming grandchildren filled their later years together.  How mom loved to entertain her grands!!

Dad passed away in 1997. Evelyn, ever the positive minded woman, decided to remodel the house and have knee replacements!   Then she continued to travel with family and friends.

When Mom was 95 she moved to Oakmont Assisted Living where she had an apartment and joined into the many activities at the community. She especially loved the musical events weekly, Bingo, outings and continued to be a good friend and inspiration to her family there.

She is survived by Leonard Sanoian, Donna (Sanoian) Perry and husband Chuck, Jerry Sanoian and wife Vivian, daughter-in-law Lynne Sanoian and son-in-law John Fino.  Evelyn was preceded in death  by Son Steven Sanoian and daughter Joanne Sanoian-Fino.

Her grandchildren, Tammy Johnson, Jeff Perry, Russell Sanoian, Alicia Sanoian, and Nathan Perry and great-grandchildren: Alec, Connor and Noah Johnson, Westen, Wyatt and Selah Perry.

Special Thanks for the wonderful staff at Oakmont for adapting to mom's increasing needs over the past 9 years.  Also to Cindie Van Noy of To Whom Honor is Due for her weekly visits which mom looked forward to as well as John Stratigmos, her Physical Therapist, who kept mom moving and exercising!

Visitation is at Yost and Webb Funeral Chapel on September 21, 10:00am-11:00am followed by a service in Chapel 11:00am-12:00pm.