Nicoletta M. Economy

Nicoletta M. Economy fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on October 22, 2022. Niki was preceded in death by her brother George Economy, father Michael, mother Eleni Economy, and Sister Maria Papahronis. She is survived by her brother-in-law Basil Papahronis, niece Frosene Sacco (husband John), nephew Michael Papahronis (wife Ingrid) their children, Mikala and Trifon, and her granddog, Rocket.

Niki loved people. She loved empowering people. She strived to encourage and support her students, friends, family and strangers to reach their full potential. She had a pleasant “smart aleck” sense of humor and wit that made people, even strangers, feel comfortable around her. And she LOVED her cats. Some of us have heard many tales of Arthur, Annie, Snoopy and others before them!

Niki was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a lifelong resident of Wyandotte County where she went to Wyandotte High School. She attended college at University of Kansas in Lawrence where she obtained her BS and MS in education. After graduation, later returned to her alumni, Wyandotte High School, where she taught English & Yearbook. She was beloved by her students there and they received top national honors and awards. Some of them called her and went to lunch with her. These were some of her favorite years of her career.

Some of Niki’s achievements include being inducted into the first Kansas Scholastic Press Association’s Kansas Scholastic Hall of Fame from the University of Kansas in recognition of excellence of Scholastic Journalism; she received the Gold Key Award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia University, for “Achievement and Excellence in Journalism Education”; she was a recipient of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Medal of St. Paul, the highest honor bestowed upon a lay person for outstanding service and commitment to the church; Niki designed, edited and wrote a 128-page commemorative album about the 80-year history of the Greek community of Kansas City, Missouri; and in 2013 Niki received the Kansas City, Kansas Public School “Reasons to Believe” Honor Roll.

Niki loved her church very much. She was a lifelong member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She held leadership roles as Parish President and Philoptochos President.

Some of her friends called her “Girl Friday” because she did everything from writing the Newsletter and working in the office to being a member and organist of the parish choir.

Among her many accomplishments there are having served as Parish Council President for two separate terms and as President of Philoptochos for many years; Niki was Co-chairman of a 12-state Church Choir Conference in 2001; she started the Herald Monthly Newsletter and she visited the homebound with Philoptochos.

Contributions in Nicoletta's memory may be made to The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, http://www.philoptochos.org/donation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Economy family.

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This was written by Niki Economy. Writing was a favorite past-time of hers. Niki lived in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Kansas City.

She enjoyed being a part of the Philoptochos there and being their president for many years. She also served on their Parish Council. I hope you enjoy this funny little story about something we love!

“ODE TO A PIECE OF BAKLAVA!”

I am a piece of Baklava,

Brought to America by your YiaYia!

You say you’re tired of making me now,

For those words, I want to fight - ker-pow!

You’re too good, no more kitchen, you’re educated

To become lawyers, accountants; you’re liberated!

But stop to think how little I’m appreciated,

Certainly now, I’ve become second-rated!

In the old days, when I was first-class

And your mother was just a young lass,

She’d call her friends Eleni and Maria,

Even though she’d burn me, they’d invite Sotiria!

Together they’d work all day long, for sure,

What would they know of a manicure?

They’d argue over the syrup in the recipe

and, fortunately, have time to make us faki!

They’d cut me in diamonds and throw in some cloves

From the top of my head, to the tip of my toes.

Oh what parea, oh what a breeze

Then in the oven, 350 degrees!

Just when I was basking in the heat of the place,

Out of the chamber and into the race

The best was yet to come, what a jewel

Showered with syrup so wonderfully cool!

Off to the bake sale and there to be sold

A nickel a piece, the price of gold.

They watched their pennies and started their search

For a piece of ground to build their new church!

Brick by brick on the foundation poured,

The more they built, the more I was scored!

We worked hand in hand in those good years,

Forgive me, If I’m moved to tears!

We couldn’t any closer be,

All of your YiaYias, mothers and me.

They even named their club after my skin,

“FILO”ptochos - they were sure to win!

From makeshift buildings to community centers,

They were landlords now, no longer renters!

Marketplaces, festivals took over their bake sales,

Not only ladies; they included the males.

Sophistication wrought more time for leisure,

Technology reduced me to the cold freezer!

First I burn and next I am cold

For a dollar a piece now am I sold!

In the good old summer time,

Why doesn’t life have reason or rhyme?

You’d think that I would have become a tradition,

A thing of beauty; simply, an institution!

But look at this generation new,

On a glass of milk and me they grew,

And now they want to throw me away,

Except for their weddings, then I’m okay!

I’m all right for mom to send,

When up the social ladder they wend,

Taking me to their boss - the big-wig,

And serving me at their gala shindig!

But look what they are giving up,

Measuring sugar by the cup,

No more brushing of the butter

Around the kitchen no more putter!

Aromas from the oven do not rise,

“That’s great, mom,” no more prize.

You’ve come a long way, baby,

Yes or no or could it be maybe?

Don’t forget me, this is my plea,

I know I don’t come low-calorie!

A treat like me, I know I’m rare

So what if I show up on your derrière!

I’m part of your history, a legacy

without me would your church be loan-free?

Your mom never wrote me down for posterity,

Don’t throw me to the wind to charity!

Keep me in your mind and hearts,

Don’t replace me with Pop Tarts!

“Getting out of the kitchen,” you chime,

But couldn’t you stay there just part-time?