June 25, 2018

Effie Kalantzis

KALANTZIS, Effie (Efthimia Passalis) 72, of Quincy, passed away suddenly on Monday June 25, 2018.  Born in Mytilini, Greece, she was the daughter of the late Elias and Elpis (Arampatzis) Passalis, also of Quincy.

Effie emigrated to the United States with her sister and parents as a teenager. She graduated from North Quincy High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Nazarene College and then began working as a Spanish and French teacher.  Following her passion for education, she earned her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons College.  Effie retired as Vice President of Information Systems at Eaton Vance Management, where she enjoyed her time working in the heart of Boston.  In addition to her full-time job, Effie taught Greek school for decades, first at Saint Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church of Quincy and then at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England.

Effie was the beloved wife of Constantine Kalantzis.  The two celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary last August.  Devoted mother of Laura Menadue and her husband Derek of Braintree, Christina Kalantzis of Manhattan, NY, and Maria Weber and her husband Mark of Franklin.  Cherished Yiayia of Constantine “Costa”, Katrina, Arianna, Nicholas “Niko”, Alexander “Alex”, Charles “Charlie”.  Sister of Lily Disciullo of Tampa, FL.  Aunt of Paul and Vincent Disciullo also of Tampa.  She also leaves behind her extended family in the Boston area and in Greece.

Effie was an active and devoted member of St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree and was a member of the Philoptochos Society.  She was a member of the American Librarian’s Association and enjoyed reading and listening to audiobooks.   Effie was fluent in four languages; Greek, English, French, and Spanish.  She enjoyed flowers, gardening, shopping and visiting the beach.  She took great pride in her home, and truly loved her Quincy neighborhood.  The biggest joys in Effie’s life came from spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY.  A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Friday, June 29, 2018 at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, Braintree at 11:30 AM. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.  Expressions of sympathy in Effie’s memory may be made to St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common St, Braintree, MA 02184.