Lydia (Sunukjian) Blankenship

BLANKENSHIP LYDIA (SUNUKJIAN)
Longtime resident of Carnegie, passed away on January 4, 2017, at St. Clair Hospital following several years of continuous, loving care by her beloved husband, Bill. Born in Troy, NY on June 17, 1938, to the late Peter and Alice Sunukjian, she graduated from Troy High School and attended Albany Business College. Many of Lydia's happiest memories were of her teenage summers spent as a lifeguard and giving water safety lessons to campers of the Methodist Farm summer community on Crooked Lake in Averill Park, NY. In 1960, she married William P. Blankenship, an engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and moved to Pittsburgh. There, she enjoyed a long professional career as a senior secretary with IBM Corporation, and made many lifelong friends. An avid bridge player, she also was active in the Red Hat Society (Red Hatters) and the Carnegie Lifespan Senior Center. Lydia is survived by her husband, William, of 56 years; sister, Joan Bramfitt (Bruce); brother, John Sunukjian (Margie); brothers-in-law, Dr. David Blankenship (Cathy) and James Blankenship (Jane). She was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Armenian Missionary Association or to the local Food Bank of one's choice.