Phaidra Zervos Retikas

Phaidra Zervos Retikas

Phaidra Zervos Retikas, 90, died February 1, 2018.

Born March 22, 1927 in Akron, Ohio to Dr. Andonios and Panagiotitsa Zervos, she grew up in an old-fashioned Greek-American home which held fast to the customs and traditions of Greece but which fostered a love and loyalty to the United States that her parents thought was the greatest country in the world.

Phaidra graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and went on to receive a Master's Degree at Columbia University in New York City. She returned home and taught English at the University of Akron and for a short time at Litchfield Jr. High School.

In 1953 she married the love of her life, Dr. Demetrios Retikas, and they had two children, Aphroditi and Anthony.

She was an enthusiastic worker for the Greek Orthodox Church and in 1967 fought to move the one-room Greek bazaar on S. Main St. to the church site on S. Union St. where it grew from a $500 operation to an over $100,000 fund raiser today. She was chairman of this affair for three different years. Later, she remained active in the kitchen and became known for her souzoukakia recipe (Greek meatballs in sauce.)

She served for many years in various offices of the King School PTA; she also served two terms as president of the church PTO, was president of the church Philoptochos Society, and also was president of the Summit County Medical Auxiliary. She taught Sunday School for many years and initiated the summer Bible school.

Active also in Mobile Meals delivering food to many home bound and indigent families, she worked in addition for East Akron Good Neighbors where she was treasurer for 30 years. Also for 30 years, she sang with the Doctors' Belles in nursing homes and for worthy causes. She sang in the church choir and, even when her health prevented her ascent to the loft on Sundays, she sang along with the choir from the Sanctuary floor.

Preceded in death by her pride and joy son, Dr. Anthony Retikas; she leaves her closest friend and husband of 64 years, Demetrios; most precious daughter and son-in-law, Diti and Mark Ciraldo; inseparable sister, Mary Zervos; and three dearly beloved grandchildren, Anthony and Lenora Ciraldo, Christina Mollica (nee Ciraldo).

Services will be held 11 a.m. MONDAY at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Fr. Jerry Hall and Fr. Andrew Lentz officiating. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may call SUNDAY from 3 to 6 P.M.at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., where the Trisagion service will take place at 5 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Anthony Retikas M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, OH 44304. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)