Alice Gulbankian

SOUTHBOROUGH, MA - Alice Armenouhie (Der Krikorian) Gulbankian passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 23rd, gently holding the hand of her daughter, and with her family at her side.

Her loving husband of 63 years, Michael “Mousegh” Gulbankian pre-deceased her 10 months ago.

Alice and Michael were blessed with three children, Michael Jr. (Hykouhie), Carolyn, and John (Armine) - who will be forever grateful for their parents’ many years of unselfish love, guidance, and giving hearts. Alice so loved being a grandmother to Anna and Eva, Emmelia and Julia, and Arsen and Arek.

Alice will be missed by her two sisters, Anna DeMango of Worcester and Mary Rodgers of Cranberry Township, PA, and her many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her three brothers, Charles, Peter, and Abraham Der Krikorian predeceased her.

Alice was born on May 24th, 1925 in Worcester, Ma. She was the daughter of Abraham and Taquohie (Tashjian) Der Krikorian. She graduated from Worcester’s Commerce High School, Class of 1944. 

Alice worked as a bookkeeper for Maurice Jaffee in Worcester for 13 years, prior to getting married. From an early age, Alice demonstrated a keen business sense, curiosity, and work ethic. Her beautiful and genuine smile was always the first thing people noticed about her.

After Alice and Michael were married in 1961, Alice worked alongside her husband managing Gulbankian Farms, a family business that Michael had taken over in1957 after the passing of his father.

In 1965, the couple relocated the business to Mount Vickery Road in Southborough. It was at this time, she and her husband expanded their company and opened Southborough’s very first florist shop. They renamed the business Gulbankian Farms Garden Center and Florist Shop.

Alice was an astute and hard-working businesswoman. Combined with her notable creativity and impeccable design skills, she became the area’s favorite florist and garden consultant. She immensely enjoyed her work in the garden center and sharing her expertise with her customers. Through the years, she received hundreds of thank you cards from her wedding and sympathy customers. She always felt proud and appreciative when her customers were happy with their flower orders. Quite often, people would stop by the shop just to chat with Alice. Her gentle kindness, sweet smile, and honest compassion was like a warm hug for many grieving hearts in need of funeral arrangements, or excited brides-to-be looking for the perfect wedding bouquet, or for the nervous teenagers needing help selecting flowers for their prom dates. 

It wasn’t long before Alice and Michael further expanded their family business by adding a fleet of buses. The Gulbankian Bus Lines provided busing for the Southborough School District, Assabet Valley, St. Mark's school, in addition to other charter bus services. As Michael was operating the busy bus line, Alice managed the town’s popular florist shop and greenhouses. With her daughter Carolyn by her side in the shop for nearly 30 years, the mother/daughter duo was a dynamic team. Carolyn naturally followed in her mother’s footsteps learning everything there was to know about growing greenhouse plants from seedlings, designing spectacular floral arrangements, and eventually expanding the shop to include a clothing and gift boutique. Alice was so proud of her daughter, and when it was time to turn over the reins to Carolyn, Alice was confident that her daughter would exude the same level of customer satisfaction and joy in running the family florist shop. Equally fulfilling for Alice, was watching her two sons, Michael Jr. and John, grow their J & M Machine Shop from the ground up. All three of the Gulbankian children had become successful businesspeople and their parents were so very proud of them. 

Although the family business was a big part of Alice’s life, nothing made her prouder than her family. Her husband, children, and her grandchildren gave her the most joy of all. Above all else, Alice cherished the time she spent at home with her family who will miss her immeasurably.

Alice was extremely fond and appreciative of her deep Armenian roots. She wanted her children to be raised in the Armenian church where they actively participated in Sunday school, youth group, and other church activities. Alice also loved to cook traditional Armenian dishes, enjoyed canning her fresh garden tomatoes, making pickles, and traditional Armenian tourshi (pickled vegetables). Another favorite hobby was growing and drying her own fresh herbs such as mint and basil, being her favorites. She also embraced the arts, not only through her love of flower arranging, but she also enjoyed drawing and watching old classic movies.

Alice had a kind and giving soul. She liked to help people. She was particularly happy when she and her husband were able to sponsor a preschool and kindergarten in Nor Kharpert, Armenia that was later named after them.

The Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester was her family’s second home. She was also a member of the Daughter’s of Vartan Santoukht Otyag chapter. This Armenian church was very special to Alice and her family - and so it will be inside this holy space that those closest to her will say their final goodbyes to a woman so very much admired and deeply loved. 

*The family held a private funeral service and celebration of Alice’s life and is genuinely appreciative of the outpouring of sympathy and love from the community, and for the many contributions being made in Alice’s honor to her beloved Armenian Church of Our Saviour at 87 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.