SAN JOSE, CA – Cynthia (Efstathia) Economidis fell asleep in the Lord on Holy Wednesday, April 16. She was the beloved wife of  Theofanis Economidis, and mother to their daughter, Roberta (Hariklia).

Cynthia was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 5,1936. She was active in the Greek community in Sheboygan and in the Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church where she served as organist and a member of the choir for many years. Cynthia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She was the recipient of numerous scholarships, awards and honors throughout her academic career including the Woodrow Wilson Fulbright Scholarship while she attended Northwestern University. Cynthia was a professor in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee for 34 years where she was the Director of Field Programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Following her retirement she lived in Los Altos, California where she was a steward at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, California, and was active in several organizations committed to preserving the Orthodox faith and the Hellenic culture, both of which were very important to Cynthia.

While in Greece in the summer of 1965, a young Cynthia Bagles met Fanis Economidis, and their friendship grew into a deep and abiding love, and they would enjoy 46 years of marriage. They had one daughter, Roberta, who would be their pride and joy. Cynthia was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and a woman of great faith in Jesus Christ.

In addition to her husband, Fanis, and daughter, Roberta, she is also survived by her half-sister, Dina Bagles Petersen. She was predeceased by her mother, Helen (Revezoulis) Retzack; father Anthony Bagles, and stepfather, Robert Retzack. She is also survived by several cousins, close friends, and she was considered a sister and mentor to the many people whose lives she touched.

The Trisagion Service will be prayed on Thursday, April 24 at 7:00 PM and the Funeral Service will be on Friday, April 25 at 11:00 AM.  His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will officiate at both services which will be held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA. The Makaria (Mercy Meal) will be held immediately following the funeral. The graveside Trisagion and Burial Service will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 PM. at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring in Dunlap, California at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cynthia’s memory to: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 95126; or the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring, P.O. Box 549, Dunlap, CA, 93621-0549.

“I had the privilege of knowing Cynthia for many years, and she was a truly remarkable woman. We enjoyed many thought-provoking conversations and I appreciated her honesty and insightfulness,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “Even as her health weakened her physically, her mind remained astute and her quick wit was never overshadowed by her pain. I know she is with the Lord, where she is free from her suffering. I pray that Fanis and Roberta may be sustained by the Lord through their grief and strengthened by the promise of eternal life.”