NELLY HOVSEPIAN
Nelly Hovsepian’s Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday 13th December at 11:00am, at Greenford Park Cemetery Chapel: Windmill Lane, Greenford, UB6 9DU, followed by Interment. Reception will follow at Navasartian Centre: 223 Northfields Avenue, London W13 9QU.
Any donations in lieu of flowers would be gratefully received by:
1) Armenian Relief Society of GB, C/o Mrs Janet Martirosian, 19 Somervell Road, Harrow HA2 8TY.
2) St. Yeghiché Armenian Church, 13b Cranley Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 3BB.
Nelly Hovsepian (Aftandilian) was born in Tabriz-Iran on 15th March 1928. She was the only child of Ashot and Siran Aftandilian. Her father Ashot Aftandilian, was privileged to have studied at Gevorkian Jemaran in Edjmiatzin-Armenia, during 1909 to 1912, where his music tutor and choirmaster was Komitas Vartapet. Her mother Siran Shahgaldian, was a University Graduate from Tibilisi-Georgia.
When Nelly was 13, the family moved from Tabriz to Tehran. There, she began taking English lessons from a private tutor, as well as taking an English Correspondence Course from Cambridge, UK, which resulted in her gaining a Proficiency Diploma in English Language and Literature. Afterwards she studied a two year Teacher’s Training Course at the British Institute in Tehran. This proved to be a life changing experience for Nelly, as she met her future husband Hovsep Hovsepian during this course.
After graduating, in 1949 she attained a job at the American Embassy, as a secretary and payroll officer. She was very proud that she could speak fluently, read and write five languages: Armenian, Persian, English, Russian and Turkish.
Nelly married Hovsep in 1951, while he was working at the British Embassy as Interpreter and Adviser. In 1952 he resigned from the British Embassy and obtained a higher position at the American Embassy, which later led to be the Senior Adviser to the Defence Attaché. In 1954 the couple had their first daughter Yolanda and in 1958 their second daughter Jacqueline was born. When Jacqueline started going to school, Nelly got a job as an English teacher at the same school.
In 1976 the two daughters left Iran and came to London to study. In 1978 the Revolution had already started in Iran and Hovsep having already retired in February that year, Nelly, Hovsep, Siran and Ashot left Iran for good and moved to London permanently, on a residence permit. The family was reunited.
They had a very active life in London. Nelly got involved in many different organisations, including: Armenian Relief Society, Ararat Song & Dance Ensemble, AGBU, Armenian House Ladies Committee, Anahid Association and Hayastan All Armenian Fund. She also worked for the Armenian Community Council as their administrative secretary, for four years. She was very much loved and respected by all in the community.
Nelly lost her father in 1981 but the most tragic and shocking incident was the sudden loss of her husband on 26/12/84, during a “holiday of a lifetime” in Florida, USA.
Nelly was a strong believer and a church lover. All her life Nelly has believed in the power of prayer and whatever problems she encountered, she could overcome by praying to God. She devoted herself to her family. She lost her mother in 1994. During the last six years of her life Nelly was suffering from Dementia due to Alzheimer’s, which is one of the most debilitating diseases.
She had a very kind nature and she took pleasure in helping other people in any way she could. She is survived by her two daughters and five grandchildren, four boys and one girl. Nelly’s grandchildren were the joys of her life.
Sadly, she passed away on 2/12/16 from Aspiration Pneumonia. She will be terribly missed by her family and many relatives and friends.