DANIELSON, CONN. – Roxanne Teguis Pappas, 92, a longtime resident of Killingly, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday morning, July 12, 2024, at Westview Health Care Center. She was the loving wife of the late George Peter Pappas, and the daughter of the late Nick Peter and Irene (Karapanos) Teguis.
Roxanne was born in the former Yugoslavia and came to the United States when she was just three months old. She was a graduate of Tourtellotte High School and Annhurst College. On June 22, 1952, Roxanne and George were united in marriage at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, MA. She worked for many years for the Killingly Board of Education as an executive secretary to the Superintendent of schools.
Roxanne was very active in her community, and her love for her town and its government led her to take on many active roles. Most notably, Roxanne was a member and former Vice Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, and she was elected as Chairwoman to the Killingly Town Council where she served for many years. She was chairperson to the Board of Directors for the Killingly Elderly Housing, and was a liaison for the Killingly Housing Authority. Roxanne was the Chairperson for the KELP subcommittee, which took major steps at the time to preserve the clean air quality for Killingly. In addition, she also served on the Council of Governments, Northeast Visitor’s Group, Quinebaug and Heritage Corridor. Roxanne was also a Justice of the Peace.
In 2013, Senator Blumenthal presented Roxanne a special recognition award for her service and dedication to the Democratic Party and she also received an award from the State of Connecticut General Assembly for her years of service to the Democratic Town Committee and the Killingly Town Council.
Roxanne’s love for the arts, led her to be on the Board of Director’s for Opera New England, and she was a patron of the Goodspeed Opera House, often going there with her late husband. She was artistic and creative, and she loved to paint and stencil on velvet canvases, often framing her pieces. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed keeping up with national issues. Roxanne enjoyed summers by going to the beach in Watch Hill, RI, sailing with her family on the boat “Roxanne” and playing tennis. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters’ Eleanor and Mary, and with the many longtime friends that she has had through the years.
Roxanne was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Danielson and had a deep faith in God. She was proud of her Greek heritage and made the best Spanakopita and Koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies) rivaled only by her sister Mary.
Roxanne will be fondly remembered as a very loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was very good at offering advice and wise words of wisdom to whom was ever in need. She could make you smile and laugh and was positive in her thoughts. Roxanne could be heard saying, “Make the most of each and every day.” She would always ask how you were doing, and she wanted to make sure you were doing okay, and would always put others first.
Roxanne is survived by her daughter, Althea Caulkins and her husband Richard and her son, Michael Pappas all of Old Lyme; her sisters, Mary Teguis Fatsi and Eleanor Teguis both of Thompson; and her grandchildren, Nicole Caulkins and her husband Chris Doyle of London, England, Micaela Caulkins of East Lyme, and Samantha Caulkins of Watertown, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Dorothy (Dina) A. Teguis.
Roxanne is also survived by a goddaughter, Roxanne P. Broulliard as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Roxanne’s family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. On Friday, July 19, 2024, in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 80 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made in Roxanne’s memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 236, Danielson, CT 06239. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Botta, her primary care physician, and Dr. David Candow as well as Westview Health Care Center for their exceptional care of Roxanne.
May her memory be eternal.
My most sincere condolences Althea and Michael on the loss of your beautiful mom Roxanne so sorry I was not aware of her passing and missed her memorial. I have so many beautiful memories of your mom and dad growing up as a child. They were “family” to us in so many wonderful ways!! Every celebration was shared with them. She has been on my mind for a week now I had no idea she was at Westview , would have been there to visit often.. Roxanne and George together again , may they rest in peace and reunite with my parents ❤️