Oldest Enclaved Resident of Kormakitis Passes Away at 100

Ioanna Kekkou, the oldest enclaved resident of Kormakitis, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 100. The deceased remained enclaved in Kormakitis after the Turkish invasion of 1974 and became a symbol of preserving the faith, language, and traditions of the Maronite community. Ioanna Kekkou's life spanned an entire era of Cypriot history, from the period of British rule to independence and a unified Cyprus, culminating in the tragic enclavement after 1974. Her presence in Kormakitis was linked to the effort to preserve the cultural heritage of the Maronite community, which was particularly affected by the Turkish invasion. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Church of Saint George in the occupied Kormakitis. The loss of Ioanna Kekkou is a sad reminder of the tragedy of enclavement and the need for justice for the enclaved. Ioanna Kekkou was one of the last witnesses to an era characterized by hope and optimism, but also by pain and loss. Her memory will live on in the hearts of the people who loved Kormakitis and who dream of the reunification of Cyprus.