Margaret "Rita" Constantine

Margaret (Rita) Constantine (Camarinos), a beloved mother, grandmother (Yiayia), great

grandmother, aunt, godmother, and a friend to many, fell asleep in the Lord, after a long,

loving, and fruitful life. She passed from life on earth peacefully, filled with and surrounded by

love, and will now live triumphantly in heaven in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ!

Born on March 29, 1934, in Astoria, New York, to John A. Camarinos and Anna Camarinos

(Coutros). Rita's exceptional work ethic was evidenced by her accomplishments at W. C. Bryant

High School, being “double promoted” and graduating early, with honors, to attend the Latin

American Institute. Being fluent in English, Greek, and also Spanish, Rita was then headed to

begin work at the Bulova watch company, however, the Lord rerouted Rita’s itinerary, changing

this New Yorker’s destination to Birmingham, Alabama, after meeting and marrying Emanuel

Tom Constantine, August 15, 1954.

In Birmingham is where Rita blossomed into the strong, beautiful, caring woman who brought a

special light and joy to every room she entered and every relationship she forged. She was

always well dressed and often complimented as having the “best dressed neck“ because of her

love of colorful scarves. Rita’s impact on those she encountered was immeasurable and far

beyond what she imagined during each stage of her life, including her last years and days on

earth.

A proud and loving mother to Arthur E. Constantine, MD (Mary), Paul J. Constantine (Lisa), and

Ann Helene Constantine Small (Patrick), and grandmother to Alexa (Clay), Michael, Christopher,

Houston (Whitney), Isabella, and Oliver (Anna Claire), Grayson, and Grace Ann (Will), AND a

great grandmother to Lilyanna, Mac, Cora, Hampton, and Anne Chapman. Rita was also a loving

sister to Dean J. Camarinos (Eileen), Arthur (Artie) J. Camarinos (Vennie), and Lt Colonel William

J. Camarinos, and an aunt to their children and grandchildren and many other nieces and

nephews, and a friend to countless others.

A lifelong active member of the Holy Trinity, Holy Cross, Greek Orthodox, Cathedral, Rita loved

the Lord, giving her time and talents to the church in many ways over the many years,

particularly encouraging and uplifting those “brothers and sisters” in the community shut in by

disease, age, transportation or other circumstances and sharing her variety of delicious Greek

cookies and powdered-sugar rosettes as she could never visit empty-handed.

Rita enjoyed working with people and brought life to the saying “going the extra mile“ by doing

the little and unexpected things for everyone she encountered. Her exceptional work ethic was

easy to spot because it was done joyfully and it served her well during each of her work

experiences, most notably at Rich’s, UAB, the VA gift shop, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

She was multitalented and unassuming.

While working at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Rita developed a passion for the museum,

the museum gift shop, and for art, surrounding herself with the beauty of the art she loved in

her home in Homewood Alabama.

Wherever she went, Margaret RITA Constantine was loved and adored. She will be missed

dearly, and her memory, beautiful smile, and loving heart will be eternally present.

Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. CT and the funeral at 11:00 a.m. CT, Thursday, October 30th,

2025, at the Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at: 307 19th Street

South, Birmingham, AL 35233. Grave site burial at Elmwood Cemetery following the church

service.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to the Hellenic Center Building

Fund.