Athena T. Kutrubes

1927 - 2015

Athena (Tikelis) Kutrubes, age 88, a 60 year resident of Lexington, passed away November 21st in Waltham, Massachusetts after a lengthy illness. Athena was born on March 20, 1927 in Haverhill, MA, the youngest daughter of James and Nifodora (Kostas) Tikelis. Educated in Haverhill schools, Athena graduated as class valedictorian from Haverhill High School in 1945. She received a B.A. from Bates College in 1949 with a major in French and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After teaching in Gorham, Maine and Manchester-by-the-Sea, she enrolled in the Harvard Universitys Education program receiving a Masters degree in 1951. Athena married Leo Kutrubes in 1952 and they moved to Lexington where they raised 4 children. Fluent in several languages, she taught French, Latin, and Spanish in both the Lexington and Arlington School systems and tutored a number of students in English. A life-long learner, Athena enjoyed history, traveling, and teaching others. She and her husband were one of the founding families of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church where she was an active member of the church choir. She loved painting and was an active member of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society. A strong supporter of Bates College, where three of her children and one niece received undergraduate degrees, she was active in Alumni affairs. Athena enjoyed mentoring others to achieve their abilities. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with family, painting seascapes of Gloucester and swimming regularly for exercise. Athena is predeceased by her husband Leo Kutrubes, her infant son Jeffrey Charles, her brother Peter Tikelis and sister Angela Tikelis Herbert. She is survived by son James Kutrubes and his wife Susan, son Jonathan Kutrubes and his wife Lynne, son Peter Kutrubes and his wife Eva and daughter Doria Kutrubes. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Melissa French, Thomas Kutrubes, Calen Kutrubes, Isabella Kutrubes, and Natasha Kutrubes-Friedman; and a great grandson, Cameron Kutrubes. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 2nd at St. Nicholas Greek Church in Lexington at 12 PM followed by internment at Westview Cemetery in Lexington, MA. Friends called at Douglass Funeral Home Tuesday, December 1st from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to the National Association of American Veterans, Attn. Chief Executive Officer, P.O. Box 6865 Washington, DC 20020. To share memories or express condolences online, please visit http://douglasfh. com.