Florence Goekjian

Florence K. Goekjian nee Kuntz, beloved wife of the late Dr. Kegham K. Goekjian, died August 6, 2012. She was born in 1912 in Cleveland to parents of Czech descent, Frank and Viola Kuntz. Florence Goekjian graduated from John Adams High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1936 from Western Reserve University. She taught for three years at Garfield Elementary School in Garfield Heights until her marriage in 1939 to Dr. Kegham K. Goekjian, long-time Shaker Heights veterinarian. When their children were young, the family attended Christ Episcopal Church where Mrs. Goekjian taught in the Sunday School. In 1952, the Diocesan Archbishop of the Armenian Church in America made a pastoral visit to Cleveland. He demanded of Dr. Goekjian, "What's a nice Armenian boy like you doing in the Episcopal Church? You should build your own church here!" Dr. Goekjian and the Armenian community took up the challenge, and St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church was built in Richmond Heights and consecrated in 1965. Mrs. Goekjian established the Sunday School and served as Superintendent for several years. She was also at various times the organist, parish council member and Diocesan delegate, as well as a member of the Women's Auxiliary. Mrs. Goekjian also took part in Shaker Heights community activities for several years as a member of the Shaker Heights League of Women Voters, serving as a court observer for that group, and was appointed a Jury Commissioner by the late Judge Manuel Rocker of the Shaker Heights Municipal Court. She enjoyed many friendships among Church Women United and at Notre Dame College's seminars on Eastern church traditions. She was also active as a leader of the Girl Scouts. Mrs. Goekjian is survived by daughter Mary G. Walsh Anthony, deceased, an attorney, son Dr. Gregory F. Jane of Portland, Oregon, a retired professor of English, and daughter Valerie Zahirsky Rev. Michael, a writer and lecturer. Valerie is Matushka of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Moundsville, West Virginia. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Barbara Soroka Michael, who works with autistic children in New York City, Mary Livesay Andrew, who has lived in various parts of the world and is now home-schooling her three children in Oregon, Benedict Goekjian Kylara, formerly of the U.S. Marine Corps and now working in Oregon, and Peter Zahirsky, just finishing his legal and city management studies in Cleveland. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church, 678 Richmond Road, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143 where Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 11 at 12 NOON. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BOULEVARD FROM 2-4 AND 6-8PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 10.


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