Obituary of Rita Tatevossian

RITA (LULU) TATEVOSSIAN

1927 – 2018

Rita (Lulu) Tatevossian died peacefully on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at home in Forest Hills. She was ninety years old.

Our beloved Lulu was born in Tabriz, Iran in 1927, the daughter of Hrand Galstian and Guenoffia (Howsepian) Galstian. Her older sister Ledoush was born in Tabriz in 1923. The family relocated to Tehran in the 1930s. In 1946 Lulu and her parents immigrated to the United States; her sister Ledoush remained in Iran with her new husband Shura.

In the US the family first lived in Upper Manhattan; they moved to Forest Hills in 1949. Lulu graduated from George Washington High School in Washington Heights, followed by secretarial courses.

She also studied piano, one of her first loves, in the late-1940s and early-1950s.

She married her devoted husband Norik Tatevossian in 1952;they have two sons, Levon Hrand and Armond Hovsep.

For several years in the early-1970s Lulu worked as an executive secretary at a public relations firm in New York. From 1976-79 she and Norik lived in Tehran while Norik worked as acivil engineer on various building projects.

Lulu was singularly devoted to New York’s vibrant and varied Armenian community. Beginning in the 1950s she was deeply involved with the Iranian-Armenian Society (Armenian Society), where she held many positions (including president)over the decades and was always called upon by the Society for valued advice and support. The Armenian Prelacy was also very dear to her; for many years she was a member of the Prelacy Ladies Guild where she helped to organize many Prelacy events.

 It was wonderful and inspiring to see Lulu’s drive, perseverance, and energy in action.

Lulu was an extraordinary wife, mother, and friend.  She will be terribly missed but never forgotten by a wide circle of family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband Norik, her son Levon and his partner Sylvie Merian, her son Armond, her aunt Adik Andonian, her aunt and uncle Helene and BobGalstian, her aunt Seda Galstian, her aunt Marous Kazian, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. The family is very grateful for the many expressions of love and support.

The wake will take place on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at: Glascott Funeral Home, 102-03 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills.  Visitation 7 pm – 9 pm.  Service 8 pm.

The funeral service will take place on Monday, February 12, 2018 at:  St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 38-65 234thStreet, Douglaston (Queens). Service 1 pm.

After interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, there will be a memorial luncheon on Monday afternoon at: Armenian Society, 39-03 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck (Queens).

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make donations in Lulu’s memory can donate to:

Armenian Society:  39-03 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, NY 11363

Armenian Prelacy:  138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church:  38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, NY 11363