Ida Tevanian

Portland-Ida Tevanian, 95,

Ida Tevanian began her life’s journey as a refugee. Her journey ended after 95 years when she passed away in the early morning hours of Christmas. In between, she had many challenges and adventures, but always lived at full speed and with maximum enthusiasm.

Ida was a proud Armenian. Her life was formed by the persecution of Armenians by Turkey in the years after World War I. She was born on November 15, 1922, in a churchyard in Aleppo, Syria, as her parents were fleeing for their lives. Her parents, Anoush (Baghdoian) and Hmaiag Asadoorian, named her Azaduhi – “freedom.” Later, in elementary school, she adopted the name Ida.

Her family settled in Detroit, Michigan, where Ida grew up and graduated from Western High School. She met her husband Casper – also born a refugee and whose family had settled in Portland – when he moved to Detroit looking for a job in the automobile industry after World War II. They were married on December 14, 1946, and moved to Portland in 1948 after the birth of their son, George.

After Casper’s death in 1967, Ida went to work for Gus Barber as office manager at Barber Foods. She took great pride in her work there, and enjoyed the Barber family. Ida retired in 1984.

After retiring, Ida traveled extensively in Western Europe and the Western U.S. and Canada, usually accompanied by her son George. She was an avid reader of fiction and loved to just sit and read. Ida was an enthusiastic Democrat, and volunteered in many political campaigns. She was particularly active in all of Joe Brennan’s campaigns.

Ida knew only one gear – overdrive. She was always on the go, and loved getting together with her wide circle of friends. She loved telling humorous stories. She couldn’t resist telling some of the same jokes again and again, but she always made them funny, always made you laugh, and always told them with a twinkle in her eye.

At the end of her life, Ida’s enthusiastic love for life was taken away from her by dementia. For the past five years she lived in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, where she passed away with her daughter by her side.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ida was predeceased by her dear brother, Zorob. She is survived by her son George; her daughter Janice Tevanian and her husband Dennis Kouba; her grandchildren Julian Kouba and Dana Kouba; her brother Albert Asadoorian, his wife Rose, niece Cheryl Palmer, and grandnephew Jacob, all in Michigan; brother-in-law Arthur Tevanian, niece Elisabeth Miles, her husband Evan, and grandnephews Evan and Austin, Livingston, N.J; and her very dear sister-in-law, Patricia Tevanian, Portland.

The family would like to thank Ida’s many loving caregivers. Special thanks to Maggie Russo, who so lovingly cared for Ida for the past three years. Heartfelt thanks goes to Theresa, Paige, and Natasha from The Girls at Home. We would also like to thank her many special caregivers from VNA Home Hospice: Cara, Allison, Erica, Jennifer, Addie, Amanda, and others.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland, with a brief service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Casper Tevanian Scholarship Fund, which every year provides a college scholarship to a graduate of Portland High School. Contributions may be sent to: Casper Tevanian Scholarship Fund, Care of Janice Tevanian, 63 Graystone Lane, Portland 04103.

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