Last Armenian Genocide survivor in San Francisco Bay Area dies (video)

March 19, 2014 - 09:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The last known Armenian Genocide survivor in the San Francisco Bay Area has died, Asbarez reported.

Takouhie Keshishian, aged 99, passed away peacefully on February 26. She was one of the last living survivors of the 20th century’s first systematic genocide, perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government against Armenians, 1915 -1923, during which more than half of the Armenian population living on its ancient homeland was killed, and their personal and community properties seized.

Keshishian had often expressed her wish that the Turkish government and the U.S. Congress recognize the Armenian Genocide. She has been honored as a source of strength and voice of justice at Bay Area Armenian Genocide commemorative events, held at the historic Mt. Davidson Cross in San Francisco. In a video message to the Armenian community, Keshishian had a simple yet powerful message: “We must never forget what Turkey did. . . We must always remember.”

Keshishian is survived by 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren

California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom sent a condolence letter to the Keshishian family. “She was a leader in every sense of the word” stated Lt. Governor Newsom. “Her leadership touched her family, friends, community, and demonstrates that there are no obstacles in life that cannot be overcome.”

Congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier issued a statement and had a flag flown at the US Capitol in memory of Takouhi Keshishian. “I share with Takouhie her wish that the Turkish government and the U.S. Congress recognize the Armenian Genocide” stated Rep. Speier. “I have introduced legislation to that effect since 2008 and will continue to do so until it passes in the Congress.”

“Considering the traumatic experiences she had endured, our grandmother had such a great, positive spirit which we loved so much. She taught us a lot about life and values,” said Ara Makasdjian, Keshishian’s grandson and ANCA- San Francisco Bay Area Board Member.

Photo: Asbarez

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The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.