She had a beautiful smile. Always pleasant and positive even though she had challenges since the death of her beloved husband, John. She came from one of the most beautiful Greek islands of the Aegean: Chios. The background and culture of Chios is based on community service, making the community a better place and leaving behind a positive legacy. This was the life of a great lady, Evangelia Klidas. She passed away on May 25. Her funeral took place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Bayside on June 1.
How did I meet this remarkable woman? My teacher and a mentor, Mr. Constantine Parthenon introduced me to Mrs. Klidas, Stelios Tatsis, and Mr. Gerazounis of the Panchiaki Korais Society of New York, when I was fundraising for scholarships on behalf of my students at a local university. Evangelia was involved in their society’s unique dance program for children. Mrs. Klidas was influential in securing scholarships for students in my classes. Panchiaki Korais Society has a legendary Board of Directors that makes its mark internationally for their generous donations until the present time. She had no personal interest; Evangelia only wanted to help Greek American youth remember their roots through scholarships and her dance program.
She loved music and dance. She instilled this love of dance in her daughter and granddaughters. Her daughter Catherine taught Greek dance at William Spyropoulos School of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Bayside. Our daughter Despina was lucky to have Catherine as an instructor. Mrs. Klidas brought her dance group to our Greek culture socials at the university, Queens public library, .and many Chios island and Greek American socials. Greek American societies awarded Evangelia numerous awards for outstanding community service.
She became a personal friend for over 20 years having coffee with me at Elite bakery in Bayside. I became reacquainted with my Asia Minor, Chian roots of my grandparents through friendships with Evangelia Klidas and her friends.
I had coffee with her a week before she passed away. Evangelia showed me photos of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very happy and always inviting me to her home for coffee to see her photos and her photographic collages from her family.
Evangelia Klidas was a humble person. She never wanted recognition. She just wanted to do good and make people happy through her community service at Panchiaki Korais Society. We will all miss Mrs. Evangelia Klidas, whose spirit epitomizes the best qualities of our Hellenic culture and Greek Orthodox Faith.