For more than a half century,
Teacher Telian inspired students
Margaret Telian's life has taken her from
Jamestown to the White House to West High School.
But for the last 52
years, the First Presbyterian Church has been a cornerstone of her life.
So it was appropriate that her 90th birthday party be held at the church
after Sunday's service.
People spoke of how happy she always seemed --
she beamed through the entire celebration, laughing and joking with friends.
Steuben County Sheriff Walter DeLap recalled having her as a teacher and
asked to speak at the reception But Margaret insisted on introducing him.
"I was always accused of having favorites," she said. "All of my
students were my favorites. But one of my favorite favorites was Walt DeLap."
"Then why did you hit me so much?" the sheriff asked, as laughter
erupted.
Turning serious, DeLap said he, as sheriff, uses the values
Mrs. Telian taught him so many years ago.
Mrs. Telian has been active in
community affairs for decades.
She graduated from Jamestown High School,
attended Otterbein College, and got a masters' degree from Syracuse. She was
named dean of women at Otterbein College in 1934, and was listed in Who's Who
Among American Women for being the youngest dean of women in the country.
She married Armen Telian, and later gave birth to Richard Gary. She is
the step-mother to six. She has 18 grandchildren, and prides herself in the fact
that they all have college degrees.
She attended a White House
conference on education in 1955, and brought Dr. Dwayne Orton, editor of Think
magazine, to speak in Corning. He spoke on "How to Start a Community College in
Your Hometown."
Shortly thereafter, Corning Community College was
created.
She taught at Northside High School and later at West High
School. When she retired in 1971, the yearbook was dedicated to her.
Since joined the First Presbyterian Church in August 1945, she has been
involved in just about every aspect of parish life.
She has taught
Sunday School, became a deacon, and was ordained an elder.
In 1983, she
became a member of the Worship Committee. Among her jobs, she is to line up all
the liturgists each week.
Sunday's celebration was sponsored by her son,
Richard Gary Telian and his wife, Marsha Ann. She is also the stepmother to six
others.
Copyright © 1997 Corning Publishers Inc. Reprinted with permission.
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