Effie Bakas Halperin

Effie Bakas Halperin, age, 72, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, and New Port Richey, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2019.

She was the devoted mother to the late Edward K. Halperin and Jonathan S. Halperin; beloved firstborn daughter of the late Constantine and Alexandra Bakas; loving daughter-in-law of the late Samuel and Jeanette Halperin; and the sister-in-law of the late Joanne and Fred Siegmund. Effie is survived by her former spouse, Michael A. Halperin; adored partner Demetrios Tertis; cherished sister Catherine and devoted brother-in-law, Constantine Drakakis; and her nieces Alexandra Drakakis, Nan, Stephanie and Julie Siegmund.

Effie possessed a passion and talent for languages. She had a distinguished career as an educator and taught high school Spanish, eventually assuming the position of Assistant Dean of Students at the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan.

In her various other stops in her life's journey, Effie worked as a travel agent during her summer's off from teaching, while concurrently pursuing her Master's degree in Spanish Literature at Fordham University in NYC. She was an international traveler who enjoyed exploring by immersing herself in diverse cultures. During her time at the travel agency, she also became the expert in-house translator when documents required translations from Greek/Spanish/Italian to English.

Effie was naturally talented: she loved to dance, loved to sing, and loved to act. More importantly, she loved people and people loved her in return. She was the life of the party and a gifted storyteller with a sharp intellect, incredible sense of humor, great sense of style, and an inspiration to all who knew her. The source of her inspiration, she said, came from her family, especially from her beloved sons: Eddie and Jonathan whom she adored with all of her being.

Effie's legacy and memory live on in her family and countless friends and colleagues.

As she embarks on her longest journey, we are reminded of the lines she herself often quoted:

Though nothing can bring back/the hour of splendor in the grass/ the glory in the flower/ we will grieve not but rather find strength in what remains behind...

"Ode: Intimations of Immortality"

~Wordsworth