Irene Nikitas
d. December 8, 2013
Irene Nikitas died peacefully at Sunrise of Leominster, on Sunday, December 8, 2013. Born at the end of World War I to Peter and Helen (Bouzoumis) Nikitas, she was baptized "Irini" - the Greek word for peace. Before moving to Drury Lane in 1995, Irene had lived nearly 80 years on West Street in the center of Fitchburg's Greek American community, just a few steps from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church where she was a lifelong member. She graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1935, worked for over thirty years at Sears, and found her center in faith and family for 96 years.
The fourth of nine children, she is survived by a sister and a brother: Artemis Constantinides of Potomac, Maryland, and Harris P. Nikitas, Sr., of Fitchburg; a sister-in-law, Bess Nikitas of Concord. She had survived siblings Demetra Demetroulakos of Lowell, and Marines, Georgia, Louis, and Peter Nikitas, all of Fitchburg.
With her own brand of quiet competence, Irene was the baking, record keeping, homemaking half of a twosome known as "The Girls". Irene and her sister, Georgia ("Jo"), kept the traditions, recipes, and stories of the entire family.
She espoused basic fiscal policy: "watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves"; observed a sound work ethic: "morning's work doesn't get done in the afternoon"; and published her advance directive decades ago: "don't bring gifts, just visit me when I'm old and decrepit."
Aunt Irene counted several nieces and nephews as her children, who are now the keepers of her story: Harris Nikitas, Jr, Thomas Nikitas of Fitchburg, Richard Nikitas of Leominster, Jane Munzell of Hamilton, Virginia; Beth Meurlin, of Herndon, Virginia, Paul Nikitas of Leominster, Elena Dooley of Fitchburg, Peter Nikitas of Exeter, Rhode Island, and Martha Stone, of Sudbury, and more than 30 great, and great, great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive callers at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1319 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA on Thursday, December 12th from 9:30-10:30, with a funeral service to follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or to the charity of your choice.
Jellison Funeral Home of Peterborough is assisting with the family with the arrangements.