Aghavni Greta Ellian

Aghavni "Aggie" Greta Ellian, 92, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Murray Hill, Manhattan, passed away on September 29, 2026. Aggie was born in Manhattan on April 24, 1934, the youngest child of Yeranhoui "Yeran" Kulhanjian of Constantinople and Levon Ellian of Havav, Palu.

Aggie grew up in the Washington Heights section of NYC, with her sister, Varvara (Barbara), and brother, Haig, before the family relocated to Miami, Florida, in 1950. She, along with her sister and mother, Yeran, spent many summers working at her uncle John Kulhanjian's famed Hye Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a legendary haven for many immigrant Armenians.

After graduating from Miami Senior High School, Aggie was recruited by the FBI to work as a secretary but ultimately declined the offer at her mother's urging. She began her career at the Miami telephone company before returning to her native Manhattan in the 1960s, where she spent the next 25 years with the New York Telephone Company. Aggie later served as Executive Director of the New York Armenian Home for the Aged in Flushing, New York, until her retirement. There she coordinated the annual commemoration events honoring survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Always a fabulous dresser, Aunt Aggie loved to travel visiting Africa, Egypt, Armenia and other destinations around the world. She is remembered by her family for her love of the holiday seasons and her affectionate bachigs for her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who fondly recall her gifts of foil-wrapped chocolate turkeys at Thanksgiving.

A devoted parishioner and organist of St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, Aggie enjoyed attending weekly services with her friends and fellow congregants until she relocated to Ocala, Florida, in the summer of 2024.

Aggie was predeceased by her sister, Varvara Ellian (Jack) Tellalian, and her brother, Haig Ellian. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Suzanne “Sue” Rahanian Ellian (Chevy Chase, MD); her nieces, Janyce "Bunny" Tellalian Wardlaw (Ocala, FL), Jacqueline Tellalian (New York, NY), and Christina Tellalian (Jason) Mulvihill (Alexandria, VA); her nephews, Gary Tellalian (Hollywood, CA) and Levon (Jan) Ellian (Chevy Chase, MD); her great-nephews, Peter (Kathy) Wardlaw (Atlanta, GA) and Thatcher Mulvihill (Alexandria, VA); her great-nieces, Sarah Wardlaw (Bobby) Jones (Athens, GA), Aimee Ellian (Bethany Beach, DE), and Reagan Mulvihill (Alexandria, VA); her great-great-nephews, Andrew Wardlaw (Atlanta, GA) and Henry Jones (Athens, GA); and her great-great-niece, SarahJane Wardlaw (Atlanta, GA).

Visitation will be held on October 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York, NY. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the same location. A graveside service will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 130‑04 Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, NY 11367.

In loving memory of Aggie’s lifelong devotion to her church, the family welcomes memorial donations to St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral.

May God illuminate her soul. Asdvadz hokin lusavori.