Ronaldine (Ronnie) Pachanian

On March 28, 2018, Ronnie went to join her beloved husband Sam in eternity.  She was 89 years old and had lived in Albuquerque for 60 years. Ronnie was born in Southport, in the north of England to a prominent Armenian family, the youngest of four children. Though the family always returned to their London base, they travelled extensively. Ronnie’s father passed away when she was only 2 years old. Close to relatives, the family stayed in Paris through her early years.  As a result, she spoke French fluently.

In the most British of ways, the family believed that only English doctors were acceptable, and only those of the “highest order.” At her dentist’s office, Ronnie became acquainted with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. The great joke between the three girls regarding the dentist was “Dr. Freeth rhymes with teeth!!” In later years, this was story that Ronnie always enjoyed telling to one and all.

Shortly before WWII, the family returned to England where Ronnie attended parochial school, under the watchful eye of Sr. Elizabeth.  Britain entered WWII in 1939. While all her older siblings were serving in the war effort, Ronnie and her mother resided in London and were there for much of the Battle of Britain. The family, with their Springer spaniel, Horace, spent many nights in the bomb shelter. One raid even managed to break up Ronnie’s 12th birthday party. Her faith in God and her anger at the Nazi’s for scaring her dog, sustained her through the Air Raids.

After the war, the family lived in Rome because her brother, Bill, older by 16 years, was a prominent official with UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency).  First assigned to Rome, (where Ronnie and her mother lived in his villa for a year), Bill was transferred to Washington DC.  When the family visited, Ronnie fell in love with America. When Bill’s assignment was up, Ronnie did not want to leave.  She lived with long-time friends of the family, the Nalbandians. Using her skill in French, Ronnie landed a job at the United Nations as a simultaneous translator. At this time, Ronnie met the love of her life, Lt .Sam Pachanian. They married in September, 1951. After serving in the Army Air Corp, during World War II, Sam continued in the US Air Force and was stationed in Roswell, NM with Strategic Air Command. First-born daughter, Nadine arrived a year later. After Sam’s tour was up, the couple returned to Worcester, MA, Sam’s hometown because his father was ill. While there, the couple found their calling-the food business. They opened a Spudnut Shop franchise, the first in a long line of food businesses. In December 1955, their second daughter, Bonnie was born.

In 1958, the family moved to Albuquerque. They started their own business, Lucky Dozen Donuts, which expanded to 5 stores around the city over the next 12 years. Over the years followed a Mexican restaurant, La Salita, Sam’s for Lunch, and Panache Cakes.

In 1997 Ronnie’s life changed abruptly. Sam died. For the next 20 years, Ronnie lived under the care of her daughter Nadine, missing Sam terribly every day. We celebrate that they are now reunited, and smile to think of Ronnie’s happiness.

Services will be held Thursday, April 12, 2018, 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming. Private Interment will take place at a later date.