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2008 Sierra Madre Float Dedicated to Knar Tufenkjian

By Bill Coburn

Back to Rose Float main page

The 2008 Sierra Madre Rose Float, Valentine’s Day, is dedicated to the memory of Sierra Madre’s Knar Tufenkjian, who passed away in February.  Knar and her husband Viken (with help from son Armen)  ran K’s Deli in town for more than a decade, after which they were involved with Sierra Madre Pizza Company.  Armen, as well as Knar and Viken’s other son Raffi, pretty much grew up under the town’s watchful eyes, both at the restaurants and at various events at which Knar volunteered her time.

Until her passing, she was actively involved with the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, where she was involved in fundraising for the Association, as well as volunteering her time during the making of the floats.  According to Don Mills, vice president of the SMRFA, “Knar will always be remembered for her warmth, smile and all the good times spent laughing in the Barn. She was a member of the board for several years and took charge and assisted with all of our fundraising activities.  Knar was generous and unassuming in everything she did.  Always giving and never asking for anything in return, she donated countless hours, food supplies and pizzas to the construction and deco crews throughout the year. She will be greatly missed by all of us.” 

Knar was born Knarik Sargissian on May 19, 1957 and was born and raised in Montebello.  She went to Mesrobian High School in Montebello, graduating in its first graduating class in 1975.  She attended East L.A. College.

In 1977, she met her future husband Viken through her aunt and uncle.  After a courtship of just six months, they became engaged, and were married on Thanksgiving weekend of 1978, on Nov. 25^th.   In 1988, Armen was born, and a year later, Raffi was born.  Raffi is on the left working on this year's float in the picture at right.

For several years, Knar was active in the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce, and for an extended period of time she served as mixer chair, organizing and overseeing the Chamber’s monthly mixers, held at local businesses.  She was also a volunteer for the ACS Relay for Life, working literally around the clock assisting with food services for the walkers who were raising funds to fight cancer.  She also raised money through sponsorships while she cut her long black hair to be donated to City of Hope for cancer patients as part of the Locks of Love program.

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