Maria F. Economou

Maria was the daughter of Helen and Anthony Boucakis, born on September 10, 1943 in Manhattan, NY. Although Maria was an only child, she had a large extended family which she adored.

Maria always knew she wanted to be a teacher from a very young age. When Maria received her Masters’ Degree in English Education, she began her long and fulfilling career of 40 years in teaching.

Her teaching journey began at the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox private school in NYC. From there, her passion for teaching brought Maria to Connecticut with her husband and high school sweetheart, Basil Economou, where she accepted a teaching position in New Fairfield, CT.

Teaching was her absolute joy. Watching her students flourish and learn gave her immense happiness and fulfillment. Teaching students’ poetry was never a job to her, it was her passion. She was nominated as the Teacher of the Year and received the Certificate of Excellence in 1994.

Her love of teaching was only matched by her love of her family. She adored her six grandchildren. Her greatest love was photographing her family and was lovingly known as the family “documenter” making sure each holiday and family gathering was remembered and cherished. Family and friends were her absolute joy and Maria’s love of life and nature was infectious.

One of Maria’s favorite pastimes was entertaining and cooking for her family and friends. When she was not cooking or entertaining, Maria loved reading and poetry.

Maria’s favorite travel destination was Rockport, Massachusetts. That’s where she spent her childhood vacations and had many treasured memories on the rocks in Rockport. As an adult, photographing a beautiful sunset of the ocean on the rocks brought her tremendous joy.

Maria is survived in death by her beloved husband, Basil whom she spent 32 inseparable years with. She is also survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Caryn and David Hasseltine of New Fairfield, CT; and Jennifer and Jeff Dawson of Davidsonville, MD. Her six grandchildren, Taylor, Morgan, Logan, Cameryn, Sydney and Avery.

A Service will be conducted at 2:30pm on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury with the Rev. Peter Karloutsos of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Danbury, officiating.

Friends will be received from 12pm-2:30pm on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Maria's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, POB 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116