Maria Athanasiades Karas Calfous sadly passed away in her sleep on March 6, 2024 at the age of 92. She was born January 9, 1932 in Hartford, CT. She was the daughter of Tsampika and Zacharias Athanasiades, wife of Dennis A. Calfous, and former wife of predeceased husband John N. Karas. She was a beloved mother, Yiayia, and friend. Maria graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1950, and in 1954, graduated from Central Connecticut State University with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. She was included in the 1954 edition of "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." She taught at Bugbee School in West Hartford from 1954-1957 and John Paterson School in Newington from 1972-1999. Giving back to the community through education was her passion. In 1980, she became a member of the Honorary Education Society of Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) and in 1987 was chosen as Newington's Teacher of the Year. In 1982, she worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help with disaster recovery operations following the June floods in Connecticut. She was a member of both the Connecticut Beginning Education Support and Training Cooperating Teacher Program (BEST) and the Association of Retired Teachers. From 1999-2006, she taught at St. Joseph College, acting as a supervisor for student teachers. She was a member of the Hartford Chorale from 1985-1991 and the Women's Chorale from 2008-2010. In retirement, she served as a tour guide for the Connecticut State Capital from 1999-2010.

As a lifelong parishioner of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hartford, she sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school, and was an active member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She served on the church council from 1985-1994 and in 1992 she became the first woman President of the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Though she always lived in the Greater Hartford area (and was a "proud Hartford gal"), she also traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. She was forward-thinking and independent, always energized to meet new people and experience different cultures. Her family was her life. Having grown up as an only child, she felt blessed to be a mother to her children and a Yiayia to her "very good-looking" grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the life of the party–always smiling, exuberant, and reflecting on her accomplishments with a martini or glass of pinot noir in hand ("Look what I've got. Not bad for an only child from Babcock St in Hartford!"). She showed love, compassion, and a sassy sense of humor until her last breath.

Maria leaves behind: her son Nick Karas, daughter Cynthia O'Connor and her husband Daniel, her son Zachary Karas, and stepdaughters Christine Calfous and Valerie Calfous; her grandchildren Zachary O'Connor, John Karas and his wife Heather, Matthew O'Connor, Elizabeth Simpson and her husband Michael, Peter Karas and his wife Sally Anne, and Jacob Karas; and her two great-grandchildren Anna Karas and Grace Marie Simpson.

A Funeral Service for Maria will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:30 am at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, CT with the Rev. Dr. George Zugravu, presiding. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Saturday from 11am to 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Holy Tabernacle Fund 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06114. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com