Karen Janice Derderian, 63, passed away peacefully in her home in Agoura Hills on Sunday, January 4, 2015 with her loving daughter by her side, after her brave 8-month battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Fresno, California on January 27th, 1951. Soon after, her family moved to Whittier, where she grew up. After high school, she attended Beauty College.
Karen married her first husband, Gary Brakefield, in 1968 and had her only child, Robin Navonne in 1969. After her divorce, she worked in administrative positions and was a tremendous asset.
In 1972, she met her future husband and soul mate, Vigen Derderian. He was an international singer, so they traveled the world, performing concerts for the Iranian community. They were blessed to have met lifelong friends throughout the world and truly lived life to the fullest. Their love was a "true" love story.
When Karen's family members and close friends fell ill, she became an advocate, making sure they were getting the best care possible. She was dedicated to the comfort of others. She had a deep faith in God and was an inspiration to all who got to know her. Karen was known to her family and friends as a very strong, wise and kind soul.
Karen's love for Vigen was so strong that she took her last breath listening to the song he wrote and sang about their love. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Hershel Holston; mother, Mary Evon Stuart; step-father, Francis Stuart; husband, Vigen Derderian; sister, Gail Delmonico; great uncles, David Hodges & Doug Hodges; and great-aunts, Flora Hodges & Shirley Hodges.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Robin (Navonne) Johns; grandson, Austin Johns; brothers, Bryan Holston & Bruce Holston; sister-in-laws, Nancy Holston & Armineh Everette; brother-in-law, Dick Everette; great-aunt, Rita Hodges; nephews, Ryan Holston, Nathanael Holston, Aaron Underwood, Jordan Holston & Patrick Gaudet; nieces, Marie Holston & Nora Ann Holston; and great nephew, Jack Gaudet.
Obituary from the Dignity Memorial
She was born in Fresno, California on January 27th, 1951. Soon after, her family moved to Whittier, where she grew up. After high school, she attended Beauty College.
Karen married her first husband, Gary Brakefield, in 1968 and had her only child, Robin Navonne in 1969. After her divorce, she worked in administrative positions and was a tremendous asset.
In 1972, she met her future husband and soul mate, Vigen Derderian. He was an international singer, so they traveled the world, performing concerts for the Iranian community. They were blessed to have met lifelong friends throughout the world and truly lived life to the fullest. Their love was a "true" love story.
When Karen's family members and close friends fell ill, she became an advocate, making sure they were getting the best care possible. She was dedicated to the comfort of others. She had a deep faith in God and was an inspiration to all who got to know her. Karen was known to her family and friends as a very strong, wise and kind soul.
Karen's love for Vigen was so strong that she took her last breath listening to the song he wrote and sang about their love. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Hershel Holston; mother, Mary Evon Stuart; step-father, Francis Stuart; husband, Vigen Derderian; sister, Gail Delmonico; great uncles, David Hodges & Doug Hodges; and great-aunts, Flora Hodges & Shirley Hodges.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Robin (Navonne) Johns; grandson, Austin Johns; brothers, Bryan Holston & Bruce Holston; sister-in-laws, Nancy Holston & Armineh Everette; brother-in-law, Dick Everette; great-aunt, Rita Hodges; nephews, Ryan Holston, Nathanael Holston, Aaron Underwood, Jordan Holston & Patrick Gaudet; nieces, Marie Holston & Nora Ann Holston; and great nephew, Jack Gaudet.
Obituary from the Dignity Memorial
Karen Janice Derderian, 63, passed away peacefully in her home in Agoura Hills on Sunday, January 4, 2015 with her loving daughter by her side, after her brave 8-month battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Fresno, California on January 27th, 1951. Soon after, her family moved to Whittier, where she grew up. After high school, she attended Beauty College.
Karen married her first husband, Gary Brakefield, in 1968 and had her only child, Robin Navonne in 1969. After her divorce, she worked in administrative positions and was a tremendous asset.
In 1972, she met her future husband and soul mate, Vigen Derderian. He was an international singer, so they traveled the world, performing concerts for the Iranian community. They were blessed to have met lifelong friends throughout the world and truly lived life to the fullest. Their love was a "true" love story.
When Karen's family members and close friends fell ill, she became an advocate, making sure they were getting the best care possible. She was dedicated to the comfort of others. She had a deep faith in God and was an inspiration to all who got to know her. Karen was known to her family and friends as a very strong, wise and kind soul.
Karen's love for Vigen was so strong that she took her last breath listening to the song he wrote and sang about their love. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Hershel Holston; mother, Mary Evon Stuart; step-father, Francis Stuart; husband, Vigen Derderian; sister, Gail Delmonico; great uncles, David Hodges & Doug Hodges; and great-aunts, Flora Hodges & Shirley Hodges.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Robin (Navonne) Johns; grandson, Austin Johns; brothers, Bryan Holston & Bruce Holston; sister-in-laws, Nancy Holston & Armineh Everette; brother-in-law, Dick Everette; great-aunt, Rita Hodges; nephews, Ryan Holston, Nathanael Holston, Aaron Underwood, Jordan Holston & Patrick Gaudet; nieces, Marie Holston & Nora Ann Holston; and great nephew, Jack Gaudet.
Obituary from the Dignity Memorial
She was born in Fresno, California on January 27th, 1951. Soon after, her family moved to Whittier, where she grew up. After high school, she attended Beauty College.
Karen married her first husband, Gary Brakefield, in 1968 and had her only child, Robin Navonne in 1969. After her divorce, she worked in administrative positions and was a tremendous asset.
In 1972, she met her future husband and soul mate, Vigen Derderian. He was an international singer, so they traveled the world, performing concerts for the Iranian community. They were blessed to have met lifelong friends throughout the world and truly lived life to the fullest. Their love was a "true" love story.
When Karen's family members and close friends fell ill, she became an advocate, making sure they were getting the best care possible. She was dedicated to the comfort of others. She had a deep faith in God and was an inspiration to all who got to know her. Karen was known to her family and friends as a very strong, wise and kind soul.
Karen's love for Vigen was so strong that she took her last breath listening to the song he wrote and sang about their love. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Hershel Holston; mother, Mary Evon Stuart; step-father, Francis Stuart; husband, Vigen Derderian; sister, Gail Delmonico; great uncles, David Hodges & Doug Hodges; and great-aunts, Flora Hodges & Shirley Hodges.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Robin (Navonne) Johns; grandson, Austin Johns; brothers, Bryan Holston & Bruce Holston; sister-in-laws, Nancy Holston & Armineh Everette; brother-in-law, Dick Everette; great-aunt, Rita Hodges; nephews, Ryan Holston, Nathanael Holston, Aaron Underwood, Jordan Holston & Patrick Gaudet; nieces, Marie Holston & Nora Ann Holston; and great nephew, Jack Gaudet.
Obituary from the Dignity Memorial
