Emily Edwards

Emilia "Emily" Edwards, beloved mother, wife, and friend, passed away on August 24, 2025, at the age of 56, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. She left this world surrounded by her loved ones.

Emilia was born in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria, to Ivan and Nevena Hadjiski. Bright, determined, and passionate about education, she pursued a Master's degree in Mathematics at Sofia University, one of Bulgaria's most prestigious institutions, following the teaching and pedagogy pathway. She began her career as a high school mathematics teacher, nurturing her love of learning and guiding her students with patience and care.

Her greatest joy came in 1995, when she welcomed her daughter, Radina, into the world. From that moment forward, Emilia's life revolved around being a mother. In 1999, Emilia bravely moved to the United States to begin a new chapter. After becoming a single parent in 2007, she shouldered every responsibility with grace and determination, working tirelessly to give Radina opportunities for a better life.

Emilia juggled three to five jobs at a time-substitute teaching for Montgomery County Public Schools, serving as a cash manager at Barnes & Noble, working as a bank teller, helping at Ten Thousand Villages, and even assisting in the leasing office of her apartment complex. No matter how demanding her schedule, she never missed the little things. With only half a day off each week, she still found the time and energy to pack Radina's school lunches, which were famously full, lovingly prepared, and always felt like five-course meals.

In 2012, while working at her apartment's leasing office, Emilia met her husband, Spiro Routoulas, who became her companion and supporter for the next decade of her life. Together, Emilia and Spiro created a beautiful blended family built on love, resilience, and joy. Their bond was a source of strength and comfort, and their home was one filled with laughter, care, and unwavering devotion to one another.

Emilia dedicated more than ten years to Montgomery County Public Schools, first as an attendance secretary at Greencastle Elementary and more recently as a family service worker in the PreKindergarten/Head Start program. In her role, she gave families the same kindness, guidance, and dedication that she gave her own child-helping countless children get a strong start in life.

Though her accomplishments were many, Emilia's proudest achievement was being Radina's mother. She worked relentlessly to support her daughter's education and dreams, ensuring she had every opportunity to succeed. Emilia's legacy of love, sacrifice, and perseverance will live on through Radina and through the lives of everyone lucky enough to know her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan (2021) and Nevena (2019) Hadjiski. She is survived by her daughter Radina, her sister Teodora (Georgi), nephews Ivan and Iordan, great-nephew Georgi, her husband Spiro Routoulas, stepdaughters Theodora Kokolakis (Pete), Maria Routoulas (Stauros), and Panagiota Moore (Brett), and her cherished grandchildren Christopher, Sofia, Spiro, Irini, Nikolas, and Leonidas, along with extended family and friends in both Bulgaria and the United States.

A service to celebrate Emilia's life will be held on Friday August 29, 2025 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral (2815 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007) followed by the burial at All Souls Cemetery (11401 Brink Rd, Germantown, MD 20876) at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Protection Monastery in White Haven PA, in honor of her deep faith and devotion. Cash or check may be mailed to 1 St. Joseph's Way, White Haven, PA 18661 Attn: Donation in Memory of Emily Edwards.

There will be a memorial and remembrance zoom meeting on Saturday August 30, 2025, 5pm.