By Martin Hellicar
NIKI Downing, whose life was tragically and brutally cut short when she was murdered in her Larnaca flat a week ago, was known to her many friends in Cyprus as a mildly eccentric, quiet and self-effacing spinster.
But behind that reserved exterior was a woman of many parts.
Niki, 71 at the time of her death, was a journalist and author, a truck- driver and light aircraft pilot, a volunteer geriatric nurse and an active member of St.Paul’s Anglican cathedral in Nicosia.
She was born in the Belgian town of Antwerp to an American father and Scottish mother and grew up in New York. The name on her birth certificate is Ethel Althea but she changed that to the Greek Niki (meaning victory) after she secured citizenship in her adopted home of Cyprus. She arrived on the island more than 30 years ago and lived first in Nicosia and then, in 1993, after a few years absence from Cyprus, moved to Larnaca.
While in Nicosia, Niki established an importing firm with a Cypriot partner and insisted on driving the company lorry. She was the first woman truck- driver on the island.
She even acted as reserve truck-driver for the National Guard, taking part in many army exercises.
Her great passion was light aircraft flying and she was the only female to have ever served in the aerial detachment of President Makarios’ body guard.
As a journalist, she became an accredited correspondent with the Israeli defence forces during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Her published novels include The Wings of the Morning, No more Pricking Brierand The Dew of Thy Youth.
Set in Cyprus and the Middle East, her stories were full of political intrigue and action – a sharp contrast to her quiet public persona.
Most knew her only as a somewhat oddly dressed old lady who gave little away about herself.
“She was very quiet and self-effacing and kept to herself,” one friend remembered.
She was, during her years in Nicosia, a regular at St.Paul’s church and a keen member of the Nicosia singers group. In her spare time she spent much time in volunteer work as a geriatric nurse for refugees from the 1974 invasion.
News of her murder was greeted with shock.
“It’s tragic, it seems so pointless,” a friend said.
Police believe the motive behind Niki’s murder may have been robbery.
Her battered body was discovered in the bathroom of her Larnaca flat by her Cypriot landlord on Tuesday morning. Police believe she was beaten and then stabbed to death by intruders sometime between May 22 and 24.
Two Russian Greeks have been remanded in custody in connection with the killing and police are seeking a third man.
