Helen ANGELIDES

ANGELIDES, Helen (Eleni)
Helen (Eleni) Nicholas Angelides passed away peacefully on the evening of January 7, 2011 at her home surrounded by the family she loved and who loved her. Born in Alexandria, Egypt on March 15, 1926, she grew up in the world renowned Greek community of that city that existed from the time of its founding by Alexander the Great. Born to Nicholas and Anastasia Papadopoulos, she was finely educated, fluently speaking Greek, English, French, and Arabic. She came to the United States in 1949, but maintained an enduring love for her home city and the diverse people and cultures that thrived there.

On June 25, 1950, she married Jerry Angelides in San Francisco; they had a deeply loving 61-year marriage. They were always together -- in heart and soul -- until she passed with him at her side. The center of her life was her family -- her husband, her two sons, her daughters-in-law, and her seven grandchildren. She showered them with affection and they did so in return. She had legions of friends from all walks of life and she made them part of her extended family.

She was deeply engaged in the arts, devoting countless hours to supporting, among other things, the Opera Guild, the symphony, and the Crocker Art Museum. A project dear to her heart was supporting and raising funds for the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the library opened in 2002 and built near where the famous ancient library once stood. After her boys were grown, she taught special needs children, making a real difference in their lives, and treating them like her own children. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her sons Kimon and Philip and was known in Sacramento and throughout California as the one of the most effective campaigners for son Philip's campaigns for public office.

She was a poised and elegant woman. She is survived by her husband Jerry; her two sons Kimon and Philip; her grandchildren Alexei, Megan, Nick, Christina, Arianna, Philip, and Eleni; her daughters-in-law Julie and Lefke; and her sister Lily, nieces Stassa and Maria and nephew Petros.

Friends are invited to attend a Trisagion Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd., 451-7284 and to attend Funeral Services Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 600 Alhambra Blvd. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Park.