Marilyn (Shahzade) Bagdasarian, a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Winchester, MA on October 29, 2026, at the age of 93, surrounded by her family. She was known for her caring nature, warmth, selflessness, intelligence and deep devotion to family.
Born on January 15, 1933, in Medford, MA, to Artin and Arika (Nalchajian) Shahzade, hardworking immigrant parents who owned a local neighborhood convenience store. She was also the sister of Eleanor Gower (“Ellie”), with whom she had an exceptionally close and loving relationship throughout her life. Ellie was always Marilyn’s best friend and confidante.
Marilyn graduated from Medford High School, attended Jackson College at Tufts University, and graduated in 1954. Throughout her life, she deeply valued education and remained forever grateful for encouragement and support from her parents to pursue her education. Marilyn always stressed the value of education to her sons and grandchildren. Marilyn was also an avid reader and enjoyed the performing arts. She nurtured her family’s creative spirits, encouraged her sons’ interest in music, enjoyed collecting antiques; in her mid-80’s, she took piano lessons with her sister.
In 1958, Marilyn married the love of her life, Robert J. Bagdasarian. They raised their two sons in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she was active in West Side Presbyterian Church and The Ridgewood Women’s Club. In 1996, she and Bob moved to Winchester to be closer to family. Marilyn created a warm, supportive home environment for her family and built lifelong treasured friendships wherever they lived. An extraordinary cook and baker, she expressed her love through food, especially traditional Armenian dishes, and enjoyed gathering family, cousins, and friends around her table. Her culinary legacy lives on through a family cookbook she compiled with her granddaughter.
Marilyn enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their summer home at Old Silver Beach in Falmouth, MA. It was her happy place, where she regularly hosted dinners with friends and family, and often went off on adventures with her sister Ellie.
Despite battling acute asthma for much of her adult life and overcoming strokes in her later years, Marilyn displayed remarkable resilience and quiet courage. Even at 93, she could be seen walking around her neighborhood with her walker, greeting neighbors with a warm smile.
Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband, Robert J. Bagdasarian; her sons, Drew Bagdasarian (Maria Elena Valle) and Bruce Bagdasarian (Lisa Terrizzi); her cherished grandchildren, Michael and Carina; her elder sister and best friend, Eleanor "Ellie" Gower and Ellie’s husband Robert; as well as her nephews, numerous cousins, and extended family across Massachusetts and California (including the Nalchajian family).
Funeral service to celebrate Marilyn’s life will be held at Saint James Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be at St. James Armenian Church on Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., immediately prior to the funeral service. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.
Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery in Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations may be made in Marilyn’s remembrance to St. James Armenian Church or Armenian Heritage Park.