Jane Agnes Goulian

Jane Agnes Goulian (nee Dawson), age 90, of Califon, NJ, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023, at home and surrounded by her loving family. 

The daughter of the late William and Clementine Dawson, she was born on December 5, 1932, in Jersey City, NJ, where she spent her childhood. She resided in Fort Lee, NJ, for most of her adult life before moving with her daughter to Califon. 

Jane was an aspiring singer when she met Edward Goulian at a rehearsal studio in Journal Square in Jersey City. They were married three months later and were devoted to each other until Eddie’s passing in 2011. 

She was a loving wife and devout Christian who cherished her time at Grantwood Baptist Church in Cliffside Park and the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus.  She considered it a privilege to teach a women’s Bible study at the Armenian Church as well. Faith and family were the most important things to Jane, who also enjoyed music, singing, and Bette Davis and Judy Garland movies. She also loved a good game of Scrabble, which she played often with her friends, children and grandchildren. 

Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Twiste and her husband Christian of Califon, and Laura Bahadourian and her husband Dr. Ara Bahadourian of Cornwall, NY; son Edward Goulian Jr. of Port St. Lucie, FL; seven grandchildren, Amy Nelson and her husband Anthony, Michael Bahadourian, Jake Girard, Brooke Allison and her husband Michael, Jordan Girard, Alexa Girard and Valentino Goulian; and three great-grandchildren, Anthony Nelson, Myles Nelson and Caroline Allison. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  

She was predeceased by her husband and two sisters, Helen Worrall and Carol Tolleson, and three nieces, Beth Goulian, Jayne Evans and Kelly Nutwell. 

A graveside family service will take place on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 12pm at Lower Valley Cemetery, 445 County Road 513, Califon, NJ.   

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 12 pm at the Armenian Presbyterian Church, 140 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ. 

Arrangements by Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ. 

Memorials can be made to the Armenian Missionary Association of America, 31 W. Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.

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