Albany - Lucille ‘Dolly’ Shamlian, 91, died Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at her residence after a brief illness.
Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Seth and Victoria (Jamgochian) Chichakian, the beloved wife of the late Harry T. Shamlian and the loving sister of Audrey (Ara) Torigian of St. Catharines, Ontario. She is predeceased by three brothers, Andrew (Doreen), Sam (Peggy) and Ronald (Mary) Chichakian and a sister, Alice (Hygus) Torosian.
Dolly is survived by her three sons, Craig T. (Karin) Shamlian, Latham, David S. (Kathi) Shamlian, Albany, and Harry R. (Kate) Shamlian, Latham; a brother-in-law, Toros Shamlian Jr., Latham; her grandchildren, Adam (Kim), Nick, Matthew, Caroline, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Victoria, Shamlian and many nieces and nephews.
In 1956, while attending an Armenian church dance in Niagara Falls NY, she met Harry, the love of her life. Married in the summer of 1958, they began their loving life together, raising 3 "perfect" (Dolly's emphasis) boys. Harry and Dolly spent 48 magical years together providing a wonderful example of true love to their sons and beloved daughter-in-laws.
Dolly was all about family and friends. She relished entertaining and was the life of the party. She loved creating theme parties for her friends, was a perpetual winner at bingo (Avila), and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren card games and Rummikub. She excelled at making her house a home, and there was always room for another around her kitchen table.
She was a longstanding active member of St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Watervliet, serving as Chairwomen of the Women’s Guild, member of the Mr. and Mrs. Club, and a Sunday School teacher. Dolly was a teacher for many years and later was employed with New York State in both the Education Department and the Department of Equalization and Assessment. She retired in 1994 to be a full-time “Medz Mommy” grandmother, which was one of many joys in her life.
A very special thanks to all mom’s caretakers who did an amazing job making her comfortable, especially the team who cared for her in her final months: Patty, Audrey, Brenda, Sarah, Nalini, Debbie, Laura, Michelle and Mel and to her many friends and staff at Avila.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, 100 Troy-Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held Friday, at 9:30 AM at the church, with Rev. Stepanos Doudoukjian, officiating with interment immediately following in Memory Gardens, Colonie, NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Dolly to the St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, https://stpeterarmenianchurch.com/giving/in-lieu-of-flowers/
Arrangements by Bryce Funeral Home, Inc Troy, NY 518 272 7281
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