Christine G. Melkonian

MONTPELIER – Christine G. “Chris” Melkonian, 94, of Grout Road, died Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, with her family at her bedside.
Born December 30, 1920 in Montpelier on a dairy farm, she was the daughter of George G. and Marion (Culver) Grout. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1938 and the Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1941, after which she was a Staff Nurse in the Emergency Room there.
On November 11, 1945 she married Arsen Melkonian, MD, in New York City. In 1953, she and her husband and family moved to Barre where he opened his medical practice as a physician and surgeon at the former Barre City Hospital and later the Central Vermont Hospital in Berlin. He died December 27, 1983.
She enjoyed playing golf, downhill and cross country skiing, gardening, cooking, traveling and the great outdoors.
Her memberships included the Barre Universalist Church where she was very active, the former Ruth Chapter #33 OES of Barre, and the Barre Country Club.
Survivors include her two daughters Donna Melkonian and her husband, Ted Raichel of Chicago, IL, and Kathi Melkonian Brown of Essex Jct.; her two sons Gregory Melkonian, MD, and his wife Jennifer of Hopkinton, NH, and Jeffrey Melkonian and his wife Susan Riha of Ithaca, NY; and her grandchildren Matthew, Morgan, Daniel, Hilary, Andrew, Alexander, Benjamin and Nathan.
Also surviving is her sister Pauli Brousseau of Montpelier, two sisters-in-law Joan Grout of East Calais, and Joyce Grout of Venice, Florida, and nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her son Michael Melkonian; four brothers, Bud, Bradley, George and Charles Grout; her sister Lucille Mears; son-in-law Phillip Brown; and brothers-in law Frederick Brousseau and Herbert Mears.
Her committal service will be held at the convenience of her family at the North Branch Cemetery in Middlesex.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495.