Demetria K. Costas

Demetria passed on January 3, 2025 with her family at her side. Although Demetria was born in Martinsville, Virginia, she spent her first few years in Greece. It was a tumultuous time for the country, yet she cultivated a love for Greece and an accent that would always stay with her. She graduated from Longwood College with a degree in early education and a minor in the Arts. She married after graduation and spent 4 years in Burlington, NC where their daughter was born. There she started her teaching career before moving to her home of 60 years in Virginia. Teaching and children were her joy, her pride, her passion. Many will remember her for her unique open classroom concept. She opened boundaries both metaphysical and physical, and encouraged them to fill those boundaries with their strengths and capabilities. Many of her students kept in touch or contacted her well after becoming adults and having families of their own.
She took great pride in her Greek Heritage participating in the early formation of St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church as both teacher and principal of Sunday School.
She loved being around people and we liked to say, she could start a conversation with anyone. She made many platters full of spanakopita and baklava to give out to people. She was vivacious, feisty and fierce. She loved her classical, Greek, and Elvis! music and would always welcome a chance to dance. She touched many lives, she, with her husband, Gus, were Godparents to several children, each of great importance to them both. She loved traveling and was always a ready companion for visiting new places and experiences. She will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Demetria's husband of 64 years, Gus, preceded her by 2 months. She is survived by her daughter, Eoanna Costas Giannopoulos and her husband Art.