Elaine Papas, 78, of Arlington, passed away at the Aberjona Nursing Home in Winchester, Mass after an extended illness of Alzheimer's Dementia. She was the wife of Arthur M. Papas for 57 years. She was born in Newton, Massachusetts and raised in Cambridge and lived in Arlington for the last 35 years.
She was the eldest daughter of twelve children of the late Theodore and Julia(Sgouros) Speros. After an unfortunate and early passing of her parents, Elaine mothered the family and kept the family together. Elaine was a devoted and dedicated choir member and sang in various church choirs for most of her life. She was an active member with Ladies Philoptochos Society for many years. She was a former employee of Symmes Hospital during her working years. Survivors include her children: Michael of San Franciso, CA, Theodore and his wife Martha of Andover, MA, Julia Lombardi and her husband Richard of Marlborough, MA and Kathryn Vankuilenburg and her husband John of Billerica, MA. Also survived by her grandchildren; Alana, Joseph , Michael and Christina Lombardi, Jonathan and David Papas, Nicole, Thomas and Julia Vankuilenburg. Sister of Bessie Stavropoulos of Lago Vista, TX, Antonia Kourepinos of Levittown, NY, Iris Speros of Arlington, MA, Constantina Katsos of Arlington, MA, Anastasia Tsaltas of Danvers, MA, George Speros of El Cajon, CA, James Speros of Woburn, MA, Anthony Speros of Arlington, MA, Nicholas Speros of Burlington, MA and the late Katherine Chagaris and Arthur Speros. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to The above named church, building fund.