Eugenia C. Aretakis

Eugenia C. Aretakis

March 27, 1926 - September 7, 2010

Eugenia Aretakis died in peace and with grace on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, in Charlottesville, Virginia, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, following a long illness. She was 84.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Eugenia "Jean" was the second of four children born to Constantine Carayiannis and Efstathia Argitis Carayiannis. Both parents were immigrants from Greece. She was raised, along with her three brothers, in Brooklyn, New York, where she graduated high school. She then obtained an associate's degree from Packer Collegiate Institute. Prior to her marriage, she worked for the Motion Picture Institute in New York City. Later she worked for the Stamford engineering firm Combustion Engineering.

In 1951, Jean married Lieutenant Colonel George A. Aretakis, United States Marine Corp, a World War II veteran and future finance commissioner for the City of Stamford. The couple raised three children and were blessed with seven grandchildren, including the latest, Olivia Jean, who was born in August.

An industrious and highly motivated student, Jean cultivated a lifelong appetite for books, music, art, and engaging conversation. Throughout her life, Jean's Greek heritage, as well as her Orthodox Christianity, were strong influences and sources of great pride and they remain a part of her family's enduring legacy.

A lifelong athlete, Jean enjoyed double's tennis, water aerobics, walking at Cove Beach, and overall wellness into her eighties.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, George A. Aretakis.

She is survived by her children, Gregory Aretakis of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his wife, Mary, and daughters, Kaitlin and Olivia Jean; Dyan Aretakis of Crozet, Virginia, her husband, Stuart Berr and daughters, Alexandra, Lydia, and Zoe; and Jonathan Aretakis of Pembroke, Maine, his wife Ann Cannizzaro, and son, Emmanuel, and daughters, Lucia and Evyenia. Also surviving her and missing her enormously are nieces, nephews, brotherd-in-law and sisters-in-law. She loved us all intensely.

Remembered for her compassion and cheerful disposition, Jean looked beyond herself, helping others throughout her life, and forming enduring friendships. Her dear friends of childhood in New York and Newport, her adult friends that were all raising their families together in Stamford, Connecticut, and her more recent friendships in Batesville, Virginia - she loves and thanks you all for sharing this lifetime journey.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels in Stamford, Connecticut, will hold a wake and family visitation from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2010, with Trisagion at 5 p.m.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2010.

Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Emily Couric Cancer Center of the University of Virginia www.supportuvacancer.org The Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels in Stamford, Connecticut, http://www.archangels.ct.goarch.org/ or to hospice in your community.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.