Geraldine “Gerry” Avigian of Salem died peacefully at CareOne at Essex Park after a long illness, with her family around her. She was 91.
She was born in Salem on March 20, 1935, the daughter of Thomas and Ruth Murtaugh, and was raised and educated there, attending Salem High School. She and her husband, Dickran “Dick” Avigian, were married 70 years; he died before her. She drove a school bus for the Michaud Bus Company and later prepared and served lunches in the Salem schools. She bowled candlepins well, knitted sweaters, hats and gloves, taught her children cribbage, and followed the Red Sox and Tom Brady’s Patriots with opinions she did not keep to herself. Her family says she kept making them laugh to the end.
She leaves her children, Jeanine Breard of Cathedral City, Calif., Judith Crosbie and her husband Michael of Salem, Richard Avigian and his wife Brenda of Beverly, Stephen Avigian of San Francisco, and Jeffrey Avigian of Salem; nine grandchildren, Adam Crosbie, Corey Crosbie and his wife Michelle, Justin Crosbie, Alexa Beard, Matthew Avigian, Katie Wiberg and her husband Dylan, Patrick Avigian, Kate Avigian and Aidan Klingelhoffer; three great-grandchildren, Chase and Violet Crosbie and Dax Wiberg; and several nieces and nephews. Her brothers Francis, Donald and David Murtaugh and her sister Patricia Cyr died before her.
A visiting hour is Thursday, October 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. at O’Donnell Cremations, Funerals and Celebrations, 84 Washington Square, Salem, followed by a funeral service at 11 and burial at Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. The family suggests donations to the Hannah Unit at CareOne at Essex Park, 265 Essex Street, Beverly, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Compiled from information published by O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. Photograph courtesy of the family via O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
