Betty Kondayan was a former English teacher at ACG
Our beloved English teacher Betty Ruth English Kondayan passed away on July 28, 2022, at the age of 92. Born in Mobile, Alabama in 1930, she considered Istanbul as her second homeland. Betty taught at ACG between 1955 and 1970, married RC math teacher Ohannes Aram Kondayan and had her son Haig in Istanbul. Back in the States in 1970 she got a degree in librarianship and worked as a librarian until 1987. Since then, she had been living in Lexington, VA and enjoying, above all, reading but also opera, art history and watching tennis on TV.
Mrs. Kondayan, as we called her, was the most fascinating teacher our class had ever had. She was highly knowledgeable, very witty, energetic, entertaining but also quite firm on principles. She was a wonderful influence on us in our most formative years.
Contributed by Nüket Tezcan Esen ACG 69
Betty Kondayan's former students shared their memories of their beloved teacher:
Mrs. Kondayan’s joy for life as well as her field of knowledge and ability to convey her knowledge were the aspects that I admired about her and that influenced me. The remarkable twinkle in her eyes, especially when she was teaching, is one of my unforgettable memories of her. -Ayşe Dinçer Akyel ACG 69
I have fond memories of Betty and her towering personality. I especially remember her always encouraging and gentle persuasion not to give up even if things seem challenging. And most of all, I was impressed by her curiosity and wish to get to know more about the people, culture, and history of the country. Last but not least, she always gave me the impression that teaching was not work for her but enjoyment. -Ester Tina Arditti Pesah ACG 69
When I think of dear Mrs. Kondayan I remember her kind and intelligent eyes, her enthusiastic lectures and her attentiveness towards all her students. I also remember her as the teacher who taught us the importance of analyzing literary works by placing them in their historical and social context. May she rest in peace. -Neşecan Çakmak Balkan, ACG 69
Mrs. Kondayan was really a good teacher. When we were studying a certain era in literature, she showed us the architecture, the art, the clothing of that era by using an overhead projector; a slide machine to be exact. We could listen to the music of that era because she had brought a record player with her and played the music of that period to the class. She had a sense of humor; when she was at the Vatican she was not allowed to go inside the Chapel, “….because of my seductive arms,” she said. She was wearing a blouse without sleeves. May her soul rest in peace. -Nur Ekinoğlu Tuğtekin ACG 69
I corresponded with Mrs. Kondayan in recent years. Betty remembered all of us and we meant a lot to her.
“Dearest Roz,
I never cease to be amazed at the talents and excellent contributions that a number of my former students have made, in both science and the arts.
“Bless you for sending the wonderful photos and for your account of the reunion. I am thrilled to see all of you! I am going to get a prints of the photos that you and a couple of other girls have sent.”
One last note from Betty:
“I wish I could come to the reunion, but at 88 and pretty frail physically that wouldn't be possible. I plan to be there in spirit! That was a very special class.”
You will always be with us in spirit. -Roz Kohen ACG 69
Betty was one of the most influential people in my life. Not just as a teacher, but as a human being.
We lost touch after she taught me English in high school, but years later I found her again and we had been corresponding for over two decades. She continued to educate me through her letters and later, through email, which she never liked but was very proud to have mastered. Betty would tell me about the books she read, and what she learned from them; she would write about her daily life, her observations, her trips. She was ever the teacher.
Nine years ago, my daughter and I went to visit her in Virginia. It was a very meaningful and emotional reunion for me. I noticed her home was decorated with many pieces from Turkey. She always referred to the time she spent there as "my golden years."
I spoke with her for the last time a few weeks before she passed. I remember she said to me, "I am ready for a new adventure."
May your adventure be peaceful, my dear Betty. You will always be remembered. -Seçkin Özbilgin Wieting ACG 69
About fifteen years ago, when I found out Mrs Kondayan’s whereabouts, I wrote her a long letter confessing my deep admiration for her, saying I was “too young, too shy” then to express my feelings freely. I told her in my letter that she was absolutely the most colorful, lively and eloquent of all the teachers I had ever had.
I have learned from experience that when you are in love with what you are doing, it is reflected in your eyes, movements, words, that is, in everything you say or do. As far as I can remember, Mrs Kondayan radiated love and enthusiasm every second of the class hour. She always inspired us with her energy, humor, and love of literature.
”Even now, when I close my eyes,” I wrote to her, “I can still see you, tall and lively, ‘skating’ from one end of the room to the other, your arms wide open and your face lit with a great big smile.” She wrote in her reply that she was moved to tears as she read my letter. She also said, “What was there about the class of 1969? I seem to keep up with them more than with other classes.”
And then, for many years, letters, photos, Christmas cards, books and small gifts were exchanged between us. It was a warm, pleasant time for both of us and I had even dreamed of visiting her someday. Much to my regret, I failed to do it.
In her letters she would talk about her son Haig, her nice nieces, her precious cat Beau, the books she was reading; and about Djokovic, the world champion tennis player whom she called “my golden boy”. She always wrote warm, witty, timely letters.
Then she was no longer able to write. I would call her now and then. She was content and in peace. She would talk about the happy and enriching years she spent in Turkey.
In our last phone call she said "I had a wonderful life, but now I'm ready to go."
I will miss her classes which she turned into colorful shows; her exciting, gripping, vibrant lectures; her warm, spirited letters and her dear, dear voice slowly fading away on the telephone line.
I hope our dear teacher is now at peace in heaven and, with her big charming smile, she has already made friends with the angels. -Handan Yazar Saraç ACG 69
