LAILA KAVALDJIAN (AGE 82)

On Friday, March 24, 2023, Laila Kavaldjian died peacefully at her home in Gerrardstown, West Virginia, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Raffi A. Kavaldjian. She is also survived by her son Haig L. Evans-Kavaldjian (Jill); daughter Tamar L. Kavaldjian-Liskey (Michael); grandchildren Aislin L. Kavaldjian, Nemo B. Kavaldjian, and Noelle M. Tolliver; brothers Ib Kristensen (Lis) and Denis Kristensen (Inge) (both in Denmark); niece and nephews; cousins; other family members and friends. She has joined in eternal peace with her daughter, Artemis M. Kavaldjian and her parents, Karl Kristensen and Marta Kristensen (Denmark).

Laila was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 17, 1940, to loving parents Karl and Marta Kristensen. Her parents sent her to live in the countryside with her grandparents during World War II. When she was reunited with her mother, father, and two younger brothers Ib and Denis, the family of five moved into an apartment in Copenhagen.

Laila's schooling began at the age of seven. She continued her studies and became multi-lingual as she grew into a young adult, learning English, German, and French, in addition to maintaining her mother tongue, Danish.

When Laila was 14 years old, she met her husband-to-be, Raffi Aram Kavaldjian, who was 16 years old. They met on a train in Italy when Laila was with her confirmation class from Denmark and Raffi was on a break from the Collegio Armeno, a boarding school in Venice, Italy.

For the next seven years, they corresponded by letter and in person whenever possible. Raffi visited Laila while she attended the Sorbonne Université and worked as an au pair in Paris, France. He also visited her in Denmark. They became engaged in Copenhagen on August 15, 1960, and married in Washington, D.C. via telephone on February 13, 1961.

When Laila arrived in America in November of 1962, they had a traditional Armenian wedding ceremony at St. George's Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. When Laila and Raffi started their family, they gave their children Armenian first names to honor Raffi's heritage, and Danish middle names to honor Laila's heritage.

Laila and Raffi raised their three children, Haig Lars, Tamar Lotte, and Artemis Marie, in Arlington, living in the same neighborhood as Raffi's mother, Sossie (Kavaldjian) Kochakian. Laila was very involved with the Ladies Guild of the Soorp Khatch (Holy Cross) Armenian Apostolic Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Danish Club of Washington, D.C.  She also served as a Cub Scout mom and as treasurer for the Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association. She made lifelong friends in the Armenian, Danish, and Arlington communities.

Even while raising her family, keeping up the household with Raffi, and working as well, Laila also attended college, earned a degree in accounting, and eventually rose to be the head of the Tax Department of Washington Gas Light and its many affiliated companies.

When Laila and Raffi retired, they moved to a beautiful historic home in the heart of Gerrardstown, West Virginia in 2002. They were warmly welcomed into the Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church community. Laila enjoyed volunteering her help wherever she was needed, and she especially enjoyed reading to the children at Gerrardstown Elementary School. She also enjoyed helping deliver meals with a close friend, for the Meals on Wheels program.

Family was very important to Laila, and she dedicated her love and energy to her husband, children, and three grandchildren, Aislin Lilibet, Nemo Birgit, and Noelle Malinda.  She also had a very positive outlook on life, a great sense of humor, and made everyone who knew her feel loved and valued.

Family and friends are invited to a graveside service that will be offered at the Gerrardstown Presbyterian Cemetery, 372 Dominion Road, Gerrardstown, West Virginia, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Pastor Karen Greenawalt will be officiating. A gathering with refreshments will follow in the church hall. Donations in Laila's memory may be made to the Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church.