DRACUT – Alexandra (Lambrakopoulos) Panagiotopoulos, age 87, a longtime Dracut resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 5 at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Stavros Panagiotopoulos with whom she shared 62 years of marriage.

She was born on December 26, 1933 in Diavolitsi, Messinia, Greece and was the daughter of the late Athanasios and Sotiria (Katsouris) Lambrakopoulos.

Alexandra graduated college at the Tripoli Teaching Academy, earning a Degree in Education. She taught in Kalamata for five years before immigrating to the United States with her husband and daughter to teach at the Hellenic American School, part of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, and the largest full Greek day school in the United States. For 25 years, Alexandra taught Greek language, history, theater, music, and dance, helping keep the culture alive and thriving for the sizable Greek immigrant community of Greater Lowell. She also enjoyed the privilege of teaching her own children, nieces, nephews, and even one of her grandsons.

In addition to teaching at the Hellenic American School, she also taught afternoon Greek classes at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell and Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, first in Lawrence, then in Andover. Alexandra also tutored dozens of students and adults at her home, even after her retirement from teaching in 1988. In all, well over a thousand students attended her classrooms during her quarter century career, among them some of the most successful members of the Greek community. Alexandra beamed with pride anytime she would encounter one of her former students and heard from them how profoundly she impacted their lives.

When not teaching, Alexandra worked tirelessly for her family's business, the Athenian Corner Restaurant in Lowell. The restaurant, which opened its doors in 1974, still uses many of the recipes Alexandra brought with her from Greece and often prepared for her loved ones during gatherings and celebrations.

Alexandra frequently attended Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and was eternally grateful for the blessings the Church provided her family, not the least of which was the opportunity to come to the United States and enjoy the American Dream. She was a past member of the church's Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Hellenic American School PTA.

When not working, Alexandra enjoyed music, singing, and dancing. She traveled frequently to Clearwater, Florida, where she owned a home with her husband. After retirement, she also traveled frequently to Greece to spend time with family and friends.

In addition to her loving husband, Alexandra leaves behind her daughter; Theodora Karahalios and her husband Paris of Andover and her son, Theodore Panagiotopoulos and his wife Rylee of Chelmsford. She also leaves behind four grandchildren who she adored; Dan Karahalios of Haverhill and his wife Militza, Alyssa (Alexandra) Karahalios of Richmond, Virginia, Ari Stavros Panagiotopoulos of Chelmsford and Ruby Alexandra Panagiotopoulos of Chelmsford, and one Great Granddaughter, Meah Karahalios of Haverhill. She also leaves behind a brother, Theodoros G. Lambrakopoulos and his wife Vasiliki of Diavolitsi, Messinia, Greece.

Alexandra is also survived by a sister in law, Christina Grillakis of Lowell, brother in laws Dimitrios Panagiotopoulos and his wife Maria of Kefalovrison, Messinia, Greece, Vasilios Panagiotopoulos and his wife Christina of Tewksbury, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and his wife Anastasia of Tewksbury and Costas Panagiotopoulos and his wife Kathy of Clearwater, Florida.

She also leaves behind dozens of beloved nieces and nephews in the United States and in Greece.

Alexandra was predeceased by a brother, Giorgos A. Lambrakopoulos and his wife Fotini, and three sisters, Patra Foutsis and her husband Efthimios, Eugenia Kostopoulos and her husband Leonidas, and Lemonia Ladas and her husband Angelos. She was also predeceased by a brother-in-law, George Grillakis of Lowell.

Due to gathering limitations her Funeral Services and Interment were held privately. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather. Memorial donations may be made in Alexandra's name to the Hellenic American Academy on Broadway Street in Lowell.