Iris, named for the Iris River near Amasia, Armenia, was the youngest child born to Karekin and Noemi Odabachian. She was born January 15, 1927, in Mexico City following sister Jasmine, born in Istanbul, sister Angel, born in France, and a brother, Boghos, who died in an auto accident at the age of two in Mexico. Her parents, both born in Garin/Erzurum, had lived in Istanbul for a number of years. Sensing increased danger, they departed for life in the Americas in 1922; by fate, on the very same ship the Sahatdjians departed on.

The United States had a quota system that closed the doors to Armenians that year, so the extended family settled in Mexico City. The Armenian community there was small and tight-knit. Iris lived in Colonia Doctores with aunts, uncles, cousins and close Armenian friends who taught the children to read and write Armenian.

Faith was important to the Odabachian family. Her father and Uncle Nerses sang in the Armenian church choir as children and young adults. From 1926-1929, during the Cristero Wars, a power struggle between the Catholic Church and the Mexican government, the churches were closed. Uncle Nerses was able to find a priest willing to baptize his daughter, Mary, as well as Iris, in a rented house in Toluca, a city outside Mexico City. A quiet, deep faith would anchor Iris throughout her life. She attended a private Mexican school and completed her high school diploma. Iris enjoyed her childhood and teenage years in beautiful Mexico City, with its architecture and history. Mom fondly spoke of family trips to Acapulco, sleeping on hammocks tied to the palm trees, eating scrambled turtle eggs for breakfast, and swimming in the ocean while the adults played tavloo or played cards.

When she was nineteen, Iris was sent by train to Fresno to help her sister, Jasmine Markarian, with her second child, John. Iris met Sarkis Sahatdjian at an Armenian picnic at the Hagopian Center on Kings Canyon Road, followed up by several family visits and Church Young Legion meetings. They married on February 8, 1947, at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. They lived together with Sarkis’s parents, Vagharshag and Makrouhi, and brother Haig, on the small family farm. Iris soon learned to prune and tie vines, drive a tractor and pick grapes.

After some two years, Sarkis and Iris moved to their own farmhouse in Madera, where children Victor, Margaret, and Bill were raised. Iris helped with, supported, and nurtured her children’s interests and school activities, baked the most delicious lavash, choreg, and cakes, canned dozens of jars of grape leaves for her amazing yalanchi and dolma, made delicious kufta, turnip dolma, goolooleeg soup, and many Mexican dishes. Like her mother and sisters, Iris knit and crocheted beautiful shawls, blankets and sweaters. Mom won many prizes at the Madera and Fresno Fairs. She knit beautiful afghans for each of her childrens families, and her beautiful baby blankets are treasured mementos of her skills. Most importantly, she created a safe, secure and loving home with her quiet dignity and warm heart.

In 1963, Sarkis and his brother, Haig, started a small raisin packing business on the home farm. Iris worked for twenty years on the production line, as well as issuing payroll, weekly reports and other office duties as needed. Her co-workers all appreciated her sweet temperament and work ethic.

When the family moved to Fresno in 1978, Sarkis and Iris became very active in the Armenian community. They were major donors and/or participants in the formation of the Armenian Community School, the school’s Women’s League, the Armenian Studies program at California State University, Fresno, the Armenian Relief Society, Sophia Chapter, Fresno Community Hospital and the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. Iris served as President and other leadership roles in the church Trinity Guild, Ladies’ Aid, and the Armenian Relief Society, Sophia Chapter . When Der Vahan Gosdanian suggested Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church serve traditional Easter Eve and Christmas Eve dinners, Iris and her committee helped Yeretsgin Gosdanian bring those traditions to fruition, lending her spinach souffle recipe to the menu. Iris led the Memorial Lunch/Hokejash Committee for many years. She worked alongside, learned from, and loved her mother’s generation, rolling out dough for souberag, cooking, and baking Armenian specialties.

Sarkis and Iris enjoyed sixty-eight years of marriage together. They traveled to many areas of the United States, Caribbean, Europe, Scandinavia, Mexico, South America and the Far East. They often traveled with friends or cousins, and made new friends with their friendly and warm dispositions. On one journey to Rome, they were personally blessed by Mother Theresa. They attended California Governor George Deukmejian’s inauguration, and spoke on behalf of Armenian interests at a march in Washington DC.

Iris was always happy to spend time with her beloved sisters, Jasmine Markarian and Angel Harutinian, as well as dear cousin, Mary Markarian, their spouses and families. Spanish would be spoken and laughter would erupt. She was also very, very close to all the Sahatdjian extended family, and loved them dearly. Iris was a loving and caring daughter to her parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law. She cared for her husband with faith, good cheer and devotion through good times and difficult times.

Sarkis and Iris’s greatest joy was their twelve grandchildren, Robert, Kristina, Richard, Angeline, Karina, Christopher, Matthew, Mark, Nicholas, Eva, Brianna and Willy. They were always ready to attend the kids’ sports events, recitals, Sunday School or school programs. Iris delighted in sewing each child a personalized Christmas stocking, knit blankets, and smiled at their unique mannerisms, funny comments and talents. She loved cooking delicious family dinners where they could all be together, swim in their large pool, and enjoy each other.

Iris was blessed with attending the weddings of her grandchildren and most baptisms of her twenty-two great-grandchildren. Until her last days, a story, a visit, a photo or video of the children brought a broad smile to her face. Her happiest days were when she received visits from her family, extended family, cousins, and friends. Iris was blessed with the care and companionship of her dear Leonora, Yolanda and Minda. Until the past year, she played backgammon and solitaire, exercised each morning, enjoyed twice- daily walks up and down her driveway, worked out word searches and watched broadcast Armenian church services when she could not attend in person.

Iris passed away peacefully Monday. June 22, 2026.

Iris is survived by her children, son Victor, and his wife, Arlyne Sahatdjian, daughter Margaret, and her husband Mark Shirin, son Bill and his wife, Christine, Sahatdjian. Grandchildren Robert Sahatjian and his children, Charles and Eddie Sahatjian, Kristina and her husband, Justin Surabian, their children, Chanel and Cara Surabian, Richard and his wife, Zhanna Sahatjian, their children Elaina, Victor and Alexander Sahatjian, Angeline and her husband, Nick De Hart, their children Emmeline and Everly De Hart, Karina and her husband, Michael Cullen, their children, McKayla and Ryan Cullen, Christopher and his wife, Lizett Ohanesian, their son, Vincent Ohanesian, Matthew Sahatdjian and his wife, Cindy, and their sons Jaxon, Axyl and Brody Sahatdjian, Mark Ohanesian and his wife, Astghik Ohanesian, their daughters Noyemi and Lori Ohanesian, Nicholas and his wife, Denise Sahatdjian and their son Luke Sahatdjian, Eva Sahatdjian, Brianna and her husband, Keenan Sanders, their daughters Presley and Sadie Sanders, and William and his wife Taylor, and their children Winnie and Wesley Sahatdjian, nieces, Patti Helling, Nora Pelaez, and Sonia Seman, nephews, John Markarian and Aram Harutinian, their families, and many dear cousins.

“ Always be faithful and always smile” These were words Mom’s father told her, and words she lived by.

Remembrances may be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church-Restoration Fund, 537 M St, Fresno, CA 93721