Olga Demetriades, wife of long-term Nicosia mayor Lellos Demetriades and well-known supporter of a variety of charitable causes, died on Monday aged 77 years.
Born in Nicosia on 26 June 1939, Demetriades (nee Ypsilandi) was distinguished for her rich philanthropic contributions and had been president of the Cans for Kids charity for the last 20 years.
She studied English and French literature at Bedford College, University of London and was a lecturer at the Higher Technical Institute.
She was also a member of the Fulbright scholarship committee.
“Olga Demetriades was a stalwart of Cans for Kids for 20 years.” said Rosie Charalambous, a founder member of the charity. “She gave unstintingly of her time, energy and love to help us build the charity from humble beginnings to a Pancyprian movement. She encouraged our young volunteers of all nationalities and welcomed the rich diversity of people who offered their help.”
Cans for Kids was formed in 1990 to organise the collection and recycling of aluminium cans on the island. To encourage people to save their cans, it was decided to use the proceeds to purchase medical equipment for the children’s wards at Cypriot hospitals.
“She was the heart and soul of Cans for Kids, absolutely dynamic, our conduit to the administration and government of Cyprus,” said Alexander McCowan, an active member of the charity said. “Olga was a wonderful woman who is going to be irreplaceable.”
She is survived by her husband Lellos who served as the capital’s mayor for 30 years until 2001, lawyer sons Achilleas and Constantinos, daughter in law Yvonne Asprides and two grandsons Alexandros and Paris.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11.00am at the Constantinos and Eleni church in Nicosia
One of Nicosia’s brightest stars
By Stefanos Evripidou
Mrs Olga was a force of nature. I’ve never met anyone with her strength, energy, courage, humour, and charity, all rolled into one.
She was extremely active in philanthropy, both through formal channels, sitting in various committees, and in private. She genuinely believed in supporting those who needed it most and was fearless in her pursuits. If you needed to overcome some obstacle that life – or any bureaucrat for that matter – put in your way, and Mrs Olga was on your side, then you could be sure the people who needed to know would know, and sooner or later, usually sooner, it would be done. She did not suffer fools lightly.
She led an authentic, full life. Along with her husband and long-time Mayor of Nicosia, Mr Lellos, she blazed a trail in bicommunal and diplomatic relations in the capital. Together, they went beyond the call of duty to be the best ambassadors for the country, providing true Cypriot hospitality to countless visitors, dignitaries, UN officials and Turkish Cypriot representatives, at a time when few dared to make such connections.
Despite her worldly connections, Mrs Olga never hesitated in sparing a moment for a troubled writer. During many an evening spent at the Demetriades household, holed up in an office, staring at archives that lined the walls from floor to ceiling, it was Mrs Olga’s coffee and cookies that kept me going. She never once left me without.
Nicosia has lost one of its brightest stars.
Stefanos Evripidou recently completed a book on the memoirs of Mr Lellos Demetriades, former Nicosia mayor for 30 years
