Helen Demetros passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 4, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born on May 6, 1926 in Salonika, Greece to James “Demetrios” Gaches and Mary “Marigo” Platis Gaches.
Helen came to the United States at the age of 4, spending her school age years in Bridgeport, CT as a proud Greek American. She graduated from the Katherine Gibbs Business School and worked for the City of Bridgeport for many years. Bridgeport was also where she met the love of her life, Peter. Peter and Helen settled in Stamford, CT where they have shared over 65 years of marriage together, carving out an amazing life and giving their children and grandchildren a living example of what marriage and true love is all about.
Mom was always there to take care of her family and friends in time of need. You could always count on Helen to have something special cooking in her kitchen, especially for her grandchildren who she loved to look after. Helen was an amazing colleague and trusted mentor for all that she worked with over her careers at CBS Labs, KPMG, Main Hurdman (just to name a few). Many have mentioned how she was the “work Mom” for several of her colleagues as they faced life’s challenges together.
Helen’s second family were all her truly wonderful friends at the Church of the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Stamford, where she and Peter have been members for over 60 years. She was very involved in all aspects of the Church, including an Officer in the Ladies Philotochos, Director of Altar boys, a Sunday School teacher for over 20 years, and along with Peter, an Advisor for the GOYA youth group. She and Peter were inaugural members of the Greek Seniors Group, where they shared so many wonderful trips and luncheons with their friends. One of her proudest roles was as a Festival co-chair where she was known as the “spanakopita lady” for her delicious recipe for Greek Spinach pie which she made every year.
Helen is survived by her husband Peter. She is also the adored mother to Christine Greene (Shepard), Gregg Demetros (MaryBeth) and James Demetros (Cynthia).
Her favorite of roles was grandmother “Yiayia” to all her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Greene, Cooper Greene (Meghan), Alyssa Greene, Jennifer Beaudoin (Kyle), Brian Demetros, Megan Pirolozzi (Mario), Olivia Demetros, Jake Demetros, Schuyler Minkcler (Bill- and their children), Thayer Smock (Chris-and their children). She also cherished her many nieces, nephews, godchildren and cousins, especially her dear cousin, Olga Antone.
She was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Gaches, her sister Rose Gaches, along with her in-laws Angelo and Evangeline Demetros.
For many of us, our fondest memories will always be, watching Helen and Peter glide across a dance floor at the many social gatherings they attended throughout their years together. They truly adored each other.
The Demetros family would like to thank Constellation Services and Maplewood Assissted Living of Darien and their compassionate staff for taking such wonderful care of our Mom this past year.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford at 10:15 AM on Thursday, March 9, 2017 for a Funeral Service to be celebrated at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 4:00-8:00 PM with a Trisagion service to be held at 7:30 PM .
In lieu of flowers, the Demetros family requests that donations be made in Helen’s memory to the Church of the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, Building Fund, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905
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