On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Athena Gikas passed away at the Brook Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring, MD, following several years of declining health.  She was 91.  She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Gikas (Steve Stovall), son, James Gikas (Carol Hacquebord) and granddaughter, Julie A. Hacquebord-Gikas.  Her beloved husband, Thomas Gikas passed away in January 2018. Relatives and friends may call at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, Friday, September 7, from 11 to 11:30 a.m., where the Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m.  Interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery will follow the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen. Athena was born in Kent Ohio on October 1, 1927 to a Greek immigrant family.  Her parents were Peter and Demetra Maggos.  They had journeyed from nearby mountain villages above the city of Sparta to start a family in Ohio, where a relative lived.  Accompanied by their first daughter, Marie, the family moved to Washington D.C, where Demetra’s sister, Ester, was also raising a family.  After their arrival in the District, the family grew with another daughter, Irene, and son, George.  Athena and her siblings received their education at local schools in the District.  They grew up close to their cousins and the rest of the Greek community in D.C.  After graduating from high school, Athena briefly attended the Benjamin Franklin University.  She also found work at the offices of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) office in Washington DC.  It was there that she met her future husband, Tom Gikas.  Tom was going to school at Georgetown University and was also doing volunteer work at the AHEPA.  The two fell in love and became engaged.  After Tom graduated, he took a job with the State Department in post-war Germany.  He was followed to Europe by Athena, and they were married in Paris, France in November 1949.  In October 1950, their son, James, was born in Berlin, Germany.  Upon their return to Washington DC, their daughter, Catherine, was born in June 1952.  In 1953, Tom and Athena bought a house in the Wheaton area, where they raised their family.  While Tom worked during the day, Athena took care of the home.  She managed the household finances, especially in keeping her family well fed, as she was an extraordinary cook.  As the family grew, Athena continued to keep the focus on family and the Greek community.  Weekly visits with cousins, aunts, and other close friends were the norm.  She actively participated in many Church and other ethnic community events, lending her culinary skills when the occasion called for it.  Although Athena and Tom moved to a new house in 1987, they continued to live in the same part of Montgomery County throughout their lives.  Following her children’s graduation from college, Athena devoted even more of her time to various Greek charitable organizations.  For a while she was active in the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.  She then transferred her efforts to the AHEPA’s Daughters of Penelope, where she remained an active participant including district chairwoman and contributor until failing health made it impossible for her to continue.  She will be remembered for her classic Greek beauty, kind spirit and devotion to family, friends and community.

FROM WASHINGTON POST

On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Gikas; mother of Catherine (Steve) Stovall and James (Carol) Gikas; grandmother of Julie. Relatives and friends may call at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 701-A Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20905 on Friday, September 7, from 11 to 11:30 a.m., where Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine & Helen.