Betty Cotzias

COTZIAS, Betty Ginos, 86, died on Monday, September 13, 2010 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Richmond, Va. Mrs. Cotzias was born in Springfield, Illinois, but moved with her family back to their native country of Greece when she was five. Mrs. Cotzias grew up in Greece, where she worked for the Greek Underground Resistance during World War II and was imprisoned for a short time. She escaped from the Nazi prison during a lapse in security on Hitler's birthday, and shortly after returned to the United States. In 1952, she married George Constantin Cotzias and moved to Bellport, Long Island, N.Y. During the 1950s, Mrs. Cotzias worked for the Greek Consulate, where she had diplomatic status. She is survived by her son, Constantin; two granddaughters, Nikita and Zoe; and a brother, James Ginos. The family will receive friends 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, September 17, at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue, Richmond, Va. Interment private.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.