Cyprus Girl Guides mourn veteran leader

Takouhi Devletian, one of the founders of the Girl Guides Association of Cyprus, has died at age 90.
A Girl Guide since 1947, Takouhi was instrumental in the establishment of the Association in 1962, soon after the island gained independence, and had been an active member throughout her life.
She joined the movement, initially as the Lone Guides who were present on the island under British colonial rule.
A solemn ceremony took place at the St Asdvadzadzin Armenian church in Nicosia on Saturday, with a Guides’ guard of honour by Takouhy’s casket throughout the procession.
Various organisations praised Ms Devletian’s contribution to the Guides movement and her teaching service at the American Academy and the Melkonian school in Nicosia, while Guide Leaders recalled that she served at all ranks within the movement, rising to General Commissioner from 1987 to 1990, and was a “leading light” in volunteerism in Cyprus.
She is survived by veteran lawyer and poet Smpad Devledian, her son Asadour and his family.