PEABODY - Pauline S. (Scharnagel) Hanjian, 88 of Peabody, formerly of Salem, wife of Ralph M. Hanjian, died Monday, November 23, 2009 after unexpectedly suffering an ill turn at her home.
Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Robert F. and Elsie E. (Leonard) Scharnagel. She was a graduate of Salem High School and Burdett College, Lynn.
Prior to her retirement in 1979, Mrs. Hanjian was employed at General Electric in Lynn for 35 years.
Pauline was a resident of Salem until moving to Peabody in 1965. An active and lifelong member of the First Universalist Church in Salem, she was a deacon of the church, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was one of the founding members of the Salem Food Pantry at the church, and was a member of the Salem Association of Universalist Women.
Pauline enjoyed cooking, gardening and was a avid sports enthusiast. She faithfully followed the Boston professional teams and her favorite, Notre Dame football, as well as her great grandchildren’s sports.
Besides her husband, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage, she is survived by one daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Thompson of Danvers, three grandchildren and their spouses, Mark & Colleen White of Charlottesville, VA, Scott & Lauren White of Rockville, MD, Karen & John Vitale of Beverly, four great grandchildren, one sister, Elsie Morse of Salem, two step-daughters, Donna and her husband Michael Leonard of Lynn, Cheryl Flak of Danvers, six step-grandchildren and spouses, Laurie & Donald Hamill of Lynn, Lisa & James Curran of Madison, NH, Michael & Jennifer Leonard of Reading, Tracie & Walter Dembowski of Danvers, Joseph & Dawn-Marie Flak of Middleton, David Flak of Danvers , 11 step-great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. Pauline was predeceased by her first husband, Harold S. Thompson who was killed in action in WWII.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12 Noon at the First Universalist Church, 211 Bridge St., Salem, to be followed by a committal service at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. There are no visiting hours. Arrangements by the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. For those who desire, donations may be made in her memory to the Salem Food Pantry, 211 Bridge St., Salem, MA 01970. For online guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.