Evangeline P. Halkias

Evangeline (Engie) Halkias passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 30, 2022. She was born on November 12, 1935, in Tinos, Greece, home of the sacred shrine of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) one of the most spiritual places in all of Greece. It is with this heritage that helped Engie fulfill her lifelong love of the church and her unwavering faith in God.

From humble beginnings, she experienced the difficult years of WWII, learning to dress battle wounds for soldiers and even hiding with her sister, Helen under her mother's dress as enemy troops marched through their village.

At the age of 12, Engie, her sister and mother left Greece, in March of 1948, entering America at Ellis Island. She was reunited with her father, Christos for the first time since she was an infant. Her father had come to the United States hoping for opportunity and started a new life in Chicago.

As a young woman, Engie studied art at Chicago's famed Art Institute. With her meticulous attention to detail and her interest in fashion merchandising, she found herself decorating the famed windows at Marshall Fields, outside of which Engie would meet Jimmy and thus began their courtship.

They married in June of 1962, and welcomed their first son George, a year later. A new teaching position for her husband meant relocating to Omaha, Nebraska where Kalliope, Chris and Angelo were born. Engie became very active in the Omaha Greek community. She taught Sunday school, was part of the Philoptochos, a women's group and the Daughters of Penelope.

In 1972, the family relocated to Tampa, Florida, and Engie used her creative talents in establishing Engie's Interiors, and Silver Spoon of Tampa, where she sold elegant heirloom children's clothing.

St. John's Greek Orthodox church became her second home where she continued her involvement in teaching Sunday school, participating in Philoptochos, Daughters of Penelope and loukoumades (Greek honey puffs) chairman for its many years of Greek festivals: More than 40+ years of timeless service to her beloved church and community. She was passionate about promoting Hellenism, and actively participated in the American Foundation for Greek Language and Culture (AFGLC), an organization formed by her husband, Jimmy, and a small group of Philhellenes from the community. Engie faithfully cleaned and beautified the church with her "Altar Angels" committee and was responsible for decorating the church for all major holidays. Her artistic talent and devotion set the standard for community service.

Engie was a devout Orthodox Christian, a woman of faith. Many referred to her as a "saintly" woman, as she would say that her best friend is the Panagia (Virgin Mary), who was always by her side. She had a passion for life, always giving of her time, talent, and treasure. She loved to welcome newcomers to the church. A parishioner recently called her “everyone's church Yiayia". She was in fact a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, as well as a confidant, mentor, friend, excellent cook, and baker.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Demetrios (Jimmy), her parents, Christos and Katina, and her sister, Helen. She is survived by her brother John (Jane), her loving children George (Elaine), Kalliope (George), Chris, Angelo (Lenka), grandsons Demetrios (Camille), Athanasios (fiancé Hannah), Great Grandson, George Demetrios, many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends.

A visitation will be held Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 6pm - 8pm, with a Trisagion at 7pm, Blount & Curry - MacDill, 605 S MacDill Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Funeral Service will be held at 10am, Monday, February 7, 2022, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 2418 W. Swann Avenue, Tampa, Florida with burial to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Tampa, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. John Greek Orthodox Church, 2418 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, FL 33609.