Dorothy “Dot” Shahian, 83, of the Bradford section of Haverhill passed away Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Hannah Duston Healthcare Center in Haverhill after a lengthy illness.
Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of Mihran and Elizabeth (Chakmanian) Shahian. She attended Haverhill public schools and was a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1949. She then furthered her education by attending Boston University.
Shahian left BU to tend to the family business, the former Paramount Cleaners in Haverhill. Completing her family obligations, she then began a long career in the Haverhill Public School System. From 1976 until 1999, she enjoyed working with the children at the Dr. Albert Consentino middle school as a librarian.
Dot was an extensive traveler, and did so as often as possible. She traveled around the world, loved music and was a supporter of the arts. She attended the Newport Jazz Festival, Tanglewood, and nights out at the theater. She had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed accumulating people.
She is survived by her loving sister with whom she lived, Marilyn Shahian, of Bradford; brother, Arthur Shahian, of Newburyport; niece, Michelle Shahian and partner, William Gynan, of Newburyport; Gregg Shahian and his wife, Maryann, of Hopkinton; great nieces and nephews, Lauren and Danielle Shahian, of Hopkinton, and Arianna and Thomas Gynan, of Newburyport; and several friends.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend her calling hours Monday morning from 10 a.m. until noon at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. Funeral services will follow at noon. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Mill St. Haverhill. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, 110 Main St. Haverhill, MA 01830.