Obituary of Margaret Avakian Gutierez

View the image gallery Margaret Rose Avakian Gutierez, born and raised in Fresno, California, was 50 years old when she passed away on Monday, August 4, 2008 after a long courageous 5 year fight with ovarian cancer. She attended Bullard High School and then graduated from Fresno State University. She also studied at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. Margaret was a senior executive who worked for over 30 years in the financial services industry. Most recently, she held the position of Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. She loved working at Wells Fargo Bank, spending over 10 years in total there. Margaret was well loved and respected by her managers, peers, co-workers and team members. She had a long and fulfilling life in financial services with many accomplishments, especially at Wells Fargo Bank. Margaret was a very loving mother and wife. She liked to knit, was an excellent baker and cook. She loved to travel both internationally to places such as Paris and Toronto, and domestically with her family, visiting over 35 of these United States. Margaret married Michael Timothy Gutierez on May 5, 1984 and they spent 24 years together. On April 8, 1988 Margaret and Michael were blessed with the birth of their one and only son Andrew Avakian Gutierez. They have lived in Moraga, CA for 21 years. In 2007, ill with cancer but always wanting to be by the ocean, they bought a summer home in Aptos, CA. She called this her beach house and she has requested that her ashes be scattered at sea not far from ?Margaret?s Beach House?. Preceding Margaret in death are; her father Avak Jim Avakian, mother Aurora Dakhlian Avakian and brother Gerald Alan Avakian. Surviving Margaret are; her husband of 24 years, Michael Timothy Gutierez; son, Andrew Avakian Gutierez both from Moraga, and her brother Dr. James Avakian from Phoenix, AZ. She also leaves behind so many relatives, friends and colleagues that will always remember her. A memorial service will be held at St. Vartans Armenian Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 11:00 am, with a Meza (a light luncheon) immediately following the service where we can share our memories of our dear and beloved Margaret. Remembrances may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), 4900 Hopyard Road, Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (http://www.ovarian.org/) or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Notification of remembrances may be mailed to Michael Gutierez, 57 San Pablo Court, Moraga, CA 94556.