Despina Symeon Struck

Despina Symeon Struck passed into the hands of her creator on Monday, May 1st, 2023 at the age of 84 years. Despina is survived by her loving husband of 57 years Norm, her sons, John (Michelle) and Dimitri (Rochelle), along with her grandchildren John (Olivia), Alexis, Zoe, and Mia and sister Sophia “Syd” Colessides.

Despina was born on February 3, 1939 in Price, UT to Symeon Symeonides and Artemesia Symeonides.

Despina enlisted in the USAF in 1957 and served a 4-year enlistment. After serving her country she enrolled in a school of nursing program in Salt Lake City, UT. While in school she was asked to join her country again and serve her country. Despina was assigned to McGuire Air Force Base, NJ in the early fall of 1963. On her first day at McGuire AFB, by happenstance and an especially wonderful quirk of fate while eating her first meal at the enlisted dining hall, Despina met her future husband, Norm. Their destiny securely sealed resulted in their marriage on 22 August, 1965. After returning to New Jersey, Despina and Norm would begin their adventure as a happily married couple getting reassigned to Scott AFB, Illinois where they welcomed their first of two sons, John. Despina left the Air Force once again to attend to her family. After being reassigned to Izmir, Turkey, the happy couple landed in Colorado Springs where they welcomed their second son, Jim/Dimitri at the USAFA. Multiple assignments afterwards included Stuttgart, Germany, Rome, NY, and finally Colorado Springs once more. Despina enthusiastically furthered the career of her husband for over 25 years as well as retiring on her own from Civil Service. Her devotion to her boys was unwavering and carried over to her friends both old and new.

Despina loved the outdoors and being with nature was one of her most favorite past times. Whether that was hiking Red Rock Canyon or the Garden of the God’s, she was happiest with the wind in her hair and listening to the trees whispering as the wind danced through their branches. Occasionally she would capture a glimpse of deer in the canyon or that of the Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep while hiking the garden.

~Her smile was like no other and would melt the hardest of hearts

~Her laugh was contagious and could not be ignored but would often cause others to laugh hysterically with her

~Her kindness to all was unparalleled as she treated everyone with the same dignity and respect she commanded

~Her authenticity in accepting others for who they were was genuine to the core

~Her word was her bond and would not be broken for her passion and commitment to others in the message she conveyed was thoughtful and concise and never judgmental

~Her kindness and thoughtfulness carried through her daily life until her passing and always worried about the other person rather than herself

A Greek Funeral Service for Despina will be held Friday, May 26, 2023 from 10:00AM to 10:20AM at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. A Remembrance Gathering will immediately follow from 10:20AM - 12:00PM. A Visitation will follow from 12:00PM to 1:00PM.

Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church. 2215 Paseo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Struck family.