Marilyn "Punkey" Tutunjian

(September 21, 1944 - November 3, 2009)

Early morning, November 3, 2009, surrounded by her loving family, Punkey slipped comfortably away, after an unexpected turn of illness. She had been successfully battling cancer for 10 months.

She was born to Albert and Mary Movsesian on September 21, 1944. Born and raised in Wasco, she lived and experienced a “simpler” time of life; high school football games, being in the marching band, “dragging the main”. It was as if all life was innocent. At the age of 18, Punkey moved to Fresno to attend Fresno State College. Throughout the years, various jobs and life situations ended in her living in Manhattan Beach and Hawaii, eventually returning her to Fresno to continue her life.

She began her family with the birth of her first daughter, Shellie and shortly thereafter, another daughter, Julie. She loved nothing more than being a mother to her two little girls. It was through motherhood, she found her true calling. Although she experienced several heartaches and drawbacks in her life, she was always able to pick herself back up and move on. She did this with grace, courage and undeniable faith. In 2001, she connected with, and later married, the man of her dreams, her sole-mate, Karnie Tutunjian. It was as if they were meant to be together. They were so happy together, even just sitting around talking for hours on end about anything and everything. They also shared a loved of traveling; often going to Pismo Beach, Laughlin, and Las Vegas. They even enjoyed a Cruise or two, along with trips to New Orleans and even Washington D.C. Punkey never met a stranger; her outgoing personality and uncanny sense of humor had her making friends where ever she would go. She had a heart of gold. Her friends and family meant everything to her and she would do anything for them.

She was an avid reader and thus, had a surprisingly large vocabulary, often causing those around her to reach for a dictionary for the definition. She loved the ocean, playing cards, dinning out, going to the movies and of course, she loved her slot machines! Punkey was never a complainer. Even after her diagnosis, she took everything in stride. Never getting angry or asking “why me?” She was a TRUE survivor!

There are several people greeting her in Heaven, most notably, her parents Albert and Mary Movsesian and her beloved daughter, Michelle “Shellie” Monge.

She will be greatly cherished and forever missed by her loving and devoted husband, Karnie Tutunjian; daughters Julie Khanzadian and her husband Kazar, Michelle Tutunjian, Kendra Tutunjian and her husband Avo Avetyan; grandchildren Zaradonna and Meliq; brother, Norman Movsesian; brother and sister-in-law Bobby and Ani Tutunjian; Mother-and father-in-law Harry and Alice Tutunjian, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, along with countless friends. Visitation will be held at Farewell Funeral Service on Sunday, November 8, 2009, from 3:00-7:00 pm.

Memorial Service will be held at Pilgrim Armenian Church on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 10:30am. Internment will follow at Belmont Memorial Park.

Remembrances may be made to the Michelle “Shellie” Monge Scholarship Fund, San Joaquin Memorial High School, 1406 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93703-3789