Evanthia Nicolou passed peacefully on January 9th, 2022, at age 79, in Alton, Il after  long illness. Predeceased by her parents, John and Helen (Gineris) Nicolou and dear brother George Nicolou. Survived by her sister, Denyce Nicolou and many loving cousins, extended family members and dear friends. She will be remembered for her warmth, intellect, and caring manner. Evanthia was an amazingly resilient women who loved life and cherished her many friendships.
A former Montessori school teacher, she remained an avid reader and loved to write.
She embraced her Greek heritage, spoke Greek fluently, cooked Greek foods, and danced beautifully to Greek music.  Everyone would clear the dance floor when she and her brother danced together - OPA!
Like many Greeks, she had a rye sense of humor and was a philosopher at-heart who couldn’t help enjoying sharing her wisdom and advice.
May her memory be eternal. Memorials to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Swansee, Illinois.

Official obiturary written by Stephanie Rothstein and Deab Palos, cousins

Evanthia Nicolou, 79, died at 11:55 pm, Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Alton Memorial Hospital. She had been gravely ill since June 2021. It is suspected she died of congestive heart disease. Born September 19,1942 in Alton IL, she was the daughter of John George and Helen (Generis) Nicolou. They predeceased her.

Evanthia attended Alton Senior High School where she was active in Future Business Leaders and Future Homemakers of America, Girl's Glee Club, Chorus, and Spanish club. She also was an office assistant, a patrol, and was on the paper staff. She consistently made the honor roll. She graduated in 1960 and was accepted at Columbia College, Columbia MO. There she majored in commerce and was elected Vice-President of Beta Beta Tau, commercial sorority. She interned as an accounting assistant to the president of Boone Hospital who offered her a permanent job after graduation. She graduated with an associate degree in Commerce in June 1962. 

Evanthia returned to Alton and continued doing bookkeeping for her father's business, The Town Club. After he retired in 1963, the family moved to St. Louis. She worked in various St. Louis offices, including a stint as the night manager of the Stouffer's Hotel. She enjoyed that job particularly because she loved working with people. After an early retirement, she nursed her mother until her death. Then she bought a house in Alton IL where she lived with her younger brother, George, and cared for him until his death.

 Evanthia continued in her Greek Orthodox faith throughout her life. She was both devout and spiritual.   She loved her church and it's liturgies, especially the Easter services. She was a loving, giving person, who cherished lifelong friendships. 

 Evanthia was a great cook! She provided Greek dishes and recipes to her friends and family, especially Greek cookies and Baklava at Christmas. She loved to cook. 

She also was a fierce defender of individual rights. If anyone was being mistreated, including herself, she  was like a mother bear. . She brooked no mistreatment  of anyone.  Politically, she supported civil, women’s, LBGTQ, and  animal rights.

Her positive attitude to life allowed her to bounce back from several severe illnesses and great losses.  The death of her brother was one.  Her cousin, Dean Palos of Lawrence KS, described her as "The most resilient person I know."

Evanthia will be buried with her mother, father and brother, George. She asked that her tombstone have the Greek words, "Meta Kalos," which means, "Go with the Good," or "Go with God." 

(unofficial obituary written by Marilyn Waide Lake)