Papas, Evangelia Alexandra

Papas, Evangelia Alexandra

ALBANY- It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful Evangelia Alexandra Papas, on March 4th, 2022. She is remembered by her three devoted children Athina (Sam) Sgambati, Basile (Coleen) Papas, and George Papas, as well as her grandchildren Alex and Matthew Sgambati, and Nick (Kaycei), Noah, Arianna, and Zoe Papas (her mother Amanda), and great-grandson Owen Papas. She also leaves behind siblings Helen (Joe) Anastasio, Foti JP (Theresa) Fotiou, Fifi Fotiou, brother-in-law Milton Papas, and goddaughter Thea Fotiou Howell, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends, both in the United States and in Greece.

Alexandra was born in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey, where she trained as a dressmaker, and became an accomplished clothing designer andseamstress, before seeking refuge in 1958 in Brussels, Belgium due to the Turkish pogrom. She had the great fortune of meeting her future husband of 49 years, Yani Papas, onboard a flight from Turkey, where their courtship began when he offered her his sweater. Their love endured through immigrating to the United States in 1967 to begin a new life with two small children and one on the way. Her parents and siblings eagerly awaited their arrival to Albany.

She and her husband worked tirelessly to establish a very popular food truck business specializing in Greek cuisine, based in Capitol Park in Albany, New York.

Alexandra was a much-beloved and active member of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany NY. One of her greatest pleasures was welcoming her family and friends into her home with open arms to enjoy delicious feasts, which she lovingly prepared.

She will be deeply and profoundly missed by all who had the pleasure of sharing in her life.

We find joy in knowing she is reunited with her husband Yani, her sister Frederica Fotiou, and her parents Konstantine and Katerina Fotiou. We hope that those who knew her keep her memory alive with stories and laughter about their time together.

May her memory be eternal and her return home full of joy.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11:00 am in St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with her family at the church prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 am. Burial will follow the service at Graceland Cemetery, Albany.

Alexandra Papas's family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html, or to International Orthodox Christian Charities, 110 West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, MD 21204 or online at https://www.iocc.org/ways-to-give.