Helene Victoria Vargelis

Mother, Wife, Educator

Helene Victoria Vargelis of Lexington, Massachusetts passed away on June 16, 2017 from complications after a short illness. She was 78 years old. Helene was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 15, 1939, the daughter of the late Demetrios Varsos of Karpenisi, Greece, and the late Sophia (Botsikas) Varsos of Kalamata, Greece. Her father was a successful restauranteur until his tragic death shortly after Helene's birth.

Helene's early schooling included time spent at St. Basils Academy in Garrison New York. She attended High School in Boston Massachusetts., first at Girls Latin then graduating from Girls High School where she pursued many interests excelling in dance and swimming. Helene graduated from Simmons College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduating she worked briefly as a buyer at a Boston department store before starting her teaching career at Jamaica Plain High School in Boston, Massachusetts, first as a substitute teacher and then as a permanent member of the faculty. Helene enjoyed teaching and mentoring High School students but she aspired to someday work as a Guidance Counselor. Teaching by day and going to school at night, she received a Master's Degree in Guidance from Boston State College in 1963. Her hard work paid off when she joined the faculty at Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts as a Guidance Counselor eventually becoming Director of the Guidance Department. Helene was dedicated to her students, working tirelessly to guide them through the difficult college application process. She was proud of her work in helping students receive scholarship aid, especially when they were awarded the prestigious Boston University Cardinal Medeiros Scholarship.

Helene was a strong and independent woman with a zest for life. She was a kind and gentle person who loved spending time with friends and family. Helene was always there to brighten the lives of others. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren Alicia and Christopher – she loved them very much! Helene was an avid reader of mysteries and historical novels. She loved to cook especially Greek dishes and was well known for her delicious Baklava. Helene enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. She loved to travel and made many trips to Greece, both before and after her marriage. While at Notre Dame Academy she chaperoned student trips to Europe. But her greatest passion was dance. She was a talented dancer, excelling in both Greek folk dances and American dances. At Greek celebrations, she was always the first to jump-up to lead the Syrtos. To earn college tuition, Helene taught one summer at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Helene's dream job was to dance on Broadway.

During her early teaching years Helene also taught Adult Education in the evenings at Charlestown High School. In October 1964 after a long day and night of teaching, and at the urging of her close friend, Esther Theadorou (deceased), Helene attended a wine tasting party at the Harvard Club in Boston, Massachusetts sponsored by the Helicon Society. That evening she met Demetrios (Jim) Vargelis over a glass of red wine. It was love at first sight! A romance soon blossomed and Helene and Jim were married in June 1965. Their marriage of 52 years was a partnership based on mutual respect and a deep love and affection for each other. Helene was devoted to her husband and his career working to support the family while he went to Law School. Together with her husband, Helene faced life's many joys and sorrows, ups and downs, with a never- ending strength of character and determination. This was on display when faced with a terminal illness she chose to end her medical treatment and enter a Hospice Home for her final days.

Helene's professional career started in an era when most married women were expected to stay at home once they became mothers. But Helene was an independent woman, a trail blazer, well ahead of her time. When her first son was born she was determined to continue working in her profession, striving to balance her professional career with the demands of motherhood at a time when there was no private day care or after school programs for working mothers. This delicate balance between career and motherhood was often a challenge for Helene during her early professional years. Helene's love of family came first, but she never lost sight of her career aspirations.

Helene is survived by her loving family, her husband and life-long companion Demetrios (Jim) Vargelis, and her sons, Jason Vargelis and his wife Joanna Lasota and their children Alicia and Christopher of San Anselmo, California, and Nicholas Vargelis and his husband Pierre de Brun of New York City and Paris, France. Also survived by her niece Jeannie Niellson of Chicago, Illinois, and cousins both here in America and in Greece. Helene was predeceased by her sister Catherine Burgess of Chicago Illinois.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 21 ^st from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road, Lexington, Massachusetts. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 22 ^nd at 11 AM at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam Street, Lexington, Massachusetts followed by interment at the Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford Street, Lexington, Massachusetts. Friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helene's memory to the Simmons College Alumni Fund. The family wishes to thank the Palliative Care staff at the Lahey Clinic and the Sawtelle Hospice House for the care given Helene during her illness. Helene was loved by all who met her – she will be missed but not forgotten.