The purpose of the Despina Catselli Pattihi Foundation, established and funded by her son Kyriakos to continue her work and honour her memory, is to preserve the legacy of the philanthropist and benefactress Despina Catselli Pattihi, as well as that of her birthplace, Kyrenia, and to carry forward her vision and multifaceted philanthropic and cultural contribution.
As a non-profit organization, the Foundation aims to manage and utilize its assets and resources, in cooperation with other bodies, in order to promote its charitable objectives. Its members offer their services voluntarily and without remuneration, inspired by the philanthropic values and examples bequeathed by Despina Catselli Pattihi through her life and actions.
Furthermore, in pursuit of its objectives, the Foundation seeks to organize and support charitable, social, educational, historical, artistic, and other cultural events that promote the ideals of philanthropy and culture.
Despina Catselli Pattihi was born in Kyrenia in 1923 and was the first child of Costas (a pioneering Cypriot hotelier from the 1920s) and Eleni Catselli. After completing the three-grade Gymnasium of her small town, Despina attended and graduated from the Pancyprian Gymnasium in Nicosia.
Despina Catselli Pattihi becomes active in philanthropy
through the Ladies’ Philanthropic Association of Larnaca.
She continues her charitable work through
philanthropic organisations in Limassol.
The primary school in Karakoumi, Kyrenia, is built entirely
through a donation from her father, Costas Catsellis.
Through a donation from herself and her siblings, the "Eleni Costa Catselli" Library of the Kyrenia Gymnasium is built (1971).
Through the donation of real estate purchased with funds given to her by her parents, Costas and Eleni Catselli, the “Nikos and Despina Pattihi Foundations” in Limassol and Larnaca establish:
In Limassol
After more than 60 years of service to philanthropy, she retires.A ceremony in her honour, recognising her many years of contribution and donations, is held at the Pattihio Municipal Theatre of Limassol, organised by the Limassol Ladies’ Association, with the participation of the Municipalities of Limassol, Larnaca and Kyrenia, and in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, along with other state officials.
She passes away peacefully at her home in Limassol.
The “Despina Catselli Pattihi Foundation” is established.
