Shirley (Markarian) Gamboian, 78, of Lewiston, NY passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at her residence under the care of Niagara Hospice. Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada she was the daughter of the late Hagop and Satenig (Toofangjian) Markarian.

Shirley was educated in St. Catharines, Ontario where she later taught elementary education for four years at Memorial Public School. On July 6, 1963, she married David V. Gamboian. The couple resided in Niagara Falls before moving to Lewiston in 1968. Shirley later received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Buffalo State College and briefly taught in the Niagara Falls School District. Later, she was a substitute teacher for both the Niagara Wheatfield and Niagara Falls School Districts for many years.

Shirley was a member of St. Peter's Church in Niagara Falls, NY as well as serving on their Altar Guild for many years. She was also a member of the College Club, the Gourmet Group, Niagara Senior Travel and Social Club and a volunteer at Artpark in Lewiston. She was a past member of the Toastmistress Club and the Armenian Relief Society. Shirley loved to travel, cook, read, exercise and work in her garden.

In addition to her husband of fifty-two years, Shirley is survived by three children, David E. Gamboian of Lewiston, NY, Peter (Amie) Gamboian of Omaha, NE and Nancy (Sam Sanders) Gamboian of Tucson, AZ; four grandchildren, Victoria, Julianna, Jack and Jano; one brother Edward (late Jasmine) Markarian of St. Catharines, Ontario and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters Ann (late Richard) Cannon and Virginia (Anthony) Mooradian, and two brothers Marvin (late Elva) Markarian and Ralph (Rose) Markarian.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 31st from 3 – 7 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 140 Rainbow Boulevard, Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial offerings may be made to Niagara Hospice Foundation, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094 or to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, PO Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240.