Efthimia Kosta

Several years ago, ethnohistorian and proud Utah native daughter Helen Zees Papanikolas bemoaned that funeral laments,(myriologue) that have not been sung from the early 1940’s, were disappearing.1 As students of history, this appears to be an accurate observation. However, as lamenting may have been a chapter from our past, there are other characteristics of Hellenisms rich history that must be spotlighted. The concept of philotimo, can be noticed and hopefully replicated by the youth of today. The short phrases, consistently sprouting from the minds of our “Greatest Generation”2 exemplified by "Πρώτα ο θεός" First, we look to GOD, may presently be heard at our churches, assisted living facilities, and BINGO nights, and prayerfully-in future—in our coffee houses, sporting events and skate parks.

Mrs. Efthimia Gialadakis-Kosta, March 27, 1927-May 29, 2025 lived a long full life, and embraced “Πρώτα ο θεός" as her daily incantation. She was born in Askifou, Sfakia to Geronimos and Kaliope Gialadakis. She is preceded in death by her spouse Veteran Pilot Nick Kosta, and her siblings Michali, George, Nick and Frikso Gialadakis, sister Maria Tzeranakis. Efthimia is survived by her sister Anna Makris, and numerous nephews, nieces, and grand-nephews/nieces both in Greece and USA.

Efthimia was married in the late 1960’s and resided in the Oakland CA area. In 1977 she moved to SLC UT to be with her two sisters and numerous close friends on Greek Street in West Jordan, UT.

She was proud of her work at the Pykettes Sewing Factory, , as well as her microchip production work at National Semiconductors, in West Jordan, UT. Her fondest hobbies, in which she was a master craftsperson were sewing, knitting and embroidery. She was famous for painstakingly shaping home goods and giving them to newly married people and charities. Alternative hobbies included constant national news-watching, and wanting to simultaneously conversing with anyone and everyone on current events as well as reading religious books similar to “Lives of the Saints” enumerating the miracles and obstacles saints overcame with their faith as their panoply. Since she lived through hunger, German occupation and atrocities, Greek Civil War, and transitions to democracy; she was closely familiar with obstacles and perseverance. Her extended family also provided a place for her to share hobbies, spend holidays, dote over new members, and share her wild greens, and garden abundance. Embracing her Sfakian Spirit, she was mowing her large lawn well into her 80’s.

Final respects are scheduled Thursday June 5, 2025 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 279 south 300 west, SLC UT., at 10:00 am viewing. Funeral to follow on same date at 11:00 am. Holy Trinity Church. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Efthimia was a deeply ethical person. She was religious and felt a need to share her faith with others. She demonstrated her faith with fasting and religious exuberance. As author David Brooks writes: “The people who really have character make deep, unshakable connections to something outside themselves.”3 It is with this ethos--and its Eastern Orthodox underpinnings-- that she lived her 98-year life. It is with this ethos that she will be remembered by those who respected and loved her. It is with this ethos that her mantra "Πρώτα ο θεός" should be celebrated by future generations. Pass it on.

1 https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt46nxj8.13?seq=2

2 https://www.ebooks.com/en-us/book/detail/192232/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=merchant

3 https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=1%2FN5jhTJ&id=03A48B6E11A414C07A74CCCA95B0C8F582FCB400&thid=OIP.1_N5jhTJZgT-gqyYXanGbwHaEK&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fquotefancy.com%2Fmedia%2Fwallpaper%2F3840x2160%2F4170234-David-Brooks-Quote-The-people-who-really-have-character-make-deep.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.d7f3798e14c96604fe82ac985da9c66f%3Frik%3DALT8gvXIsJXKzA%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=2160&expw=3840&q=david+brooks+quote+on+ethics%3f&simid=607997452716500731&form=IRPRST&ck=6AA7AC5CB240326B97CE67A3974EE8E8&selectedindex=13&itb=0&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=11

This is my own

This hallowed space

This is my final resting place

And when the fires have

Ceased to burn

Unto God’s hands

I shall return

Then lay me down

With earth to blend

In eternity and peace to spend

And cast my name in

Bronze, I pray

To tell the ages I passed

This way.

-RJ Hurley