SEATTLE, WA – Presbytera Artemis “Artie” Demopulos passed away on October 29. She was 94. Born Artemis Cornelia Bougas on February 2, 1927 in Bismarck, North Dakota, she was one of four children born to Andrew and Maria Bougas, both Greek immigrants. As a child, she moved with her family to Glendive, Montana, where they relocating to find work during the Great Depression. Her life, characterized by compassion for and service to others, was shaped during these early years. The Bougas family frequently opened their home and shared their table with those less fortunate, often the homeless and hungry.

After high school, she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree followed by an additional post-graduate year to train as a medical technologist. She then moved to Boston, taking her first job in cancer research at Harvard’s Peter Bent Brigham (now Brigham and Women’s) Hospital. It was here that she met her future husband and loving partner Alexander Homer Demopulos. He was completing his training at The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary and was serving as a chaplain in the hospital where she worked. They were married in Boston, August 24, 1952. After his ordination as a priest, they moved to Los Angeles in 1953, his first assignment at Saint Sophia Cathedral.

While in Los Angeles, they had their three children Peter, Gregory, and Christina. Education and love of learning were core values, which she instilled in her children and supported in her husband as he completed his doctorates in theology and psychology during sabbatical years at Claremont College. In addition to her role as heart and anchor of her family, Artie also immersed herself in parish and community life.

In the summer of 1967, the family moved to Seattle with Father Homer’s reassignment to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, making their home on Mercer Island. While raising their family, as “presbytera” and in partnership with her husband, she and Father Homer initiated youth and summer camping programs that remain active today. She sang in the church choir, volunteered in the church office, was active in philanthropic organizations such as Philoptochos, and coauthored and published, with fellow members of the St. Demetrios cookbook committee, Greek Cooking in an American Kitchen. Artie was also engaged in the larger Seattle community with volunteer and philanthropic work, including fundraising for the Lakeside School and chairing the Stanford Mother’s Club. She pursued her athletic passion as an avid tennis player and skier.

After the sudden and untimely death of her beloved husband in May 1993, she remained active in parish life while devoting much of her time and energy to her grandchildren who she saw almost daily.

Artie passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, loving friends, her priest, and her caregivers. She will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her as brilliant, engaging, caring, and selfless, devoted to her family and her faith. She possessed a remarkable ability to see and connect with the best in others, particularly those who were struggling or less fortunate.

She is survived by her three children Peter, Gregory, and Christina and their spouses Diane, Kate, and Gerry along with her seven grandchildren Anna, Alex, Andrew, Xander, Gregory, Alexander, and Arianna. She is also lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law Sylvia Demopulos Munroe and by her many nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to her late husband, she was also preceded in death by her siblings Dr. James Bougas, Apollo Bougas, and Eleanor Bougas Theodore and their spouses.

May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Very Reverend Dr. A. Homer and Presbytera Artemis Demopulos scholarship fund at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary, 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA 02445, or to the general fund of the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2100 Boyer Ave. East., Seattle, WA 98112.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 22, at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church with interment to follow at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave., North, Seattle, WA 98133.