ELIZABETH BALABAN CAPPOS

CAPPOS, ELIZABETH BALABAN Native San Diegan, resident of Chula Vista and Rancho Santa Fe, passed away in her sleep Sunday, August 1, 2010, at nearly 86 years of age. A daughter of George and Anastasia "Stassa" Balaban of San Diego, and Asia Minor, Turkey and wife of James Cappos for 61 years. Liz was always a trailblazing leader in every aspect of her life. She was born with a desire to be involved and to serve and "got down to business" early. She was President of her class at Garfield Elementary School and at San Diego High School, and Vice President at San Diego State College in 1949. She inherited the philanthropist gene from her mother, who inspired her to become an active lifetime volunteer in many organizations throughout San Diego County. Liz served on various boards, like the Women's Auxiliary of the Salk Institute, the Country Friends, and as President of the Chula Vista Junior Women's Club. In organizations like National Charity League, she volunteered at the Old Globe and the San Diego Historical Society. She always remained an advocate and supporter of all things Hellenic: the Friends of Classics, the Hellenic Cultural Society, and development of Classics Chairs at SDSU and UCSD. She was always equally devoted to her church. She was involved at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in San Diego for many years and went on to become a founder of Saints Constantine & Helen Church in North County where one of her favorite duties was the Sunday Outreach Program. She loved people and especially thrived on meeting new friends and introducing them to each other. She also chaired the Greek Festival pastry booth there for over 25 years, and loved the Thursday Baking Group, again mostly for the people. She was a member of the ladies Philoptochos organization where her favorite endeavor by far was the almost $16,000 in aluminum cans she collected over 20 years, earning her the infamous title, "The Aluminum Queen!" Physically active as well as mentally, she was always "on the go". She enjoyed running -- 2 miles daily into her 80s - and never found a reason to sit idle. Liz was never reluctant to spearhead new or different ideas and lived her life by the motto "try to do something constructive each day, not merely exist." She was a curious explorer, an adventurer, and always spoke her mind forcefully but peacefully and graciously, and never left her ideas unsaid. She will always continue to inspire those who knew her to do the same. Survived by husband, James; children Steven (Caron), Clifton, and Julianne; sister Angela Edman; sister-in-law Gloria Balaban; grandchildren Jaron and Stassa, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Trisagion Services Wednesday August 4th, 6:30 p.m., funeral services Thursday August 5th, 11:00 a.m., both at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 92007. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thursday Baking Group c/o Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007.