Helen Haralampu (née Avtges) of Belmont, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of George (deceased), and loving mother of Evelyn and Stephen, daughter of Peter D. Avtges and Evangelia (née Voutsa), and sister of James P. Avtges.  She is also survived by five nieces and nephews.    She was 100 years old.

Her father was one of the founders of the Taxiarchae/Archangels Church in Watertown, the same Church that she attended most of her life.  She and George, who was the President of the Church Board for many years, devoted many years serving the Church, teaching Sunday School, and organizing Family Dinners, Family Picnics and Church Bazaars.

Helen excelled in school, put herself through Bentley College in the days when Bentley had only just started accepting women, and went on to work as a public accountant at the highly-regarded Rittenhouse accounting firm in Boston.

Helen met George at a lecture series that a young Father Demetrious Koukouzis sponsored for young college educated adults at the Boston Cathedral of the Annunciation. Father Koukouzis went on to become Archbishop Iakovos.

Helen had a tremendous love of life, her family and friends. She was a life-long learner, taking a broad range of academic classes for decades through age 90 at the Harvard Extension School, Harvard Divinity School and Boston University.  She was a loving, caring woman who was a second mother to many, and a leader of Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout troops.

Helen enjoyed travel.  Trips ranged from annual family vacations while her children were young to worldwide trips with George, especially in their retirement years.

Throughout her life, Helen had many diverse interests and activities.  For many years she enjoyed swimming daily. The physical activity probably contributed to her longevity, and also led to friendships that lasted decades.  She appreciated the arts. Among other things, she held Boston Symphony season tickets for more than 30 years.  Also, Helen always appreciated the occasional visit to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox in action.

Helen's warmth and cheerful nature touched many people, and many will miss her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA, on Friday, February 7, starting at noon, followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm.  Internment will take place at Highland Meadow Cemetery in Belmont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church or to the charity of your own choosing.