Ifigenia "Effie" Gasparis

Ifigenia (Effie) Gasparis of Great Falls, VA passed away peacefully, at the age of 91, on April 13, 2024. She was born on the Greek island of Limnos, in the village of Atsiki, in 1932. Effie grew up working on the family farm. After the Nazi occupation of her village and her family’s home during World War II and the ensuing poverty, she dreamed of a better life and moved to the United States (Washington D.C.) in the late 1950s. Effie married her husband Christos Gasparis (deceased, 2000) in July 1959 and they built a family together in Falls Church, VA. Effie was a hardworking, devoted wife and mother — with only an elementary school education, she taught her sons many important life lessons. Effie was a very faithful Christian and she and her family were one of the first members of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA. She served as president of the Ladies Philoptochos and volunteered countless hours to the church she considered family. Effie helped bring several families from Greece; she managed their immigration documentation and helped integrate them into the Greek-American culture and economy. Although she spoke with a strong Greek accent, she was always able to relate and communicate with individuals of all cultures to achieve success or common goals. Known for her strength, energy, and love, Effie became a successful restaurateur and businesswoman. Her husband and she owned and operated carry-outs, restaurants, and a deli and managed investment properties together. She was integral to their success. Her negotiating skills and work ethic made both their businesses and investments successful. Friends and relatives have stated that if she had a college education, she would have likely been a CEO of a company. Although she worked 12-hour days, six days a week she managed to raise her three sons and even volunteer for the PTA of her sons’ elementary school. Effie was seen, and known, as a fountain of love and energy to those around her. She loved to Greek dance and was an amazing cook — she could make anything better than a restaurant. She enjoyed needlepoint, crochet, cross-stitching, and tatting, as well as spending countless hours gardening. She will be remembered by her family, relatives, and friends for the virtues which characterized her persona: integrity, honesty, hard work-ethic, and love for family and neighbors. Effie is preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Anastasia Kalarhakis, as well as 6 brothers and 1 sister. She is survived by her three children: George (Melissa), Nick (Michelle), and John (Terri); and her six grandchildren: Toni Nicole and husband Matt Can, Christopher, Ashley, Jesse, Nicholas, Michael; and great granddaughter Madeleine Can. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 24 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Murphy Funeral Home at 1102 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. The funeral will be held on Thursday, April 25 at 11:00am at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA.