Rocky Hill Obituary: Maria Artas, 98

Maria S. (Spiridakis) Artas, 98, of Rocky Hill, passed away peacefully at her home on November 5, 2017. She was the beloved wife of the late John Artas (Aretakis) and the daughter of Angeliki and Stelianos Spiridakis.

She was born in Katsidoni, Crete, Greece and emigrated to Hartford in 1950, where she lived for 32 years before moving to Rocky Hill. Maria retired from the Crouse-Hinds Corporation in 1980.

She leaves her two daughters, Lambrine (Libby) and her husband George Sideriadis, and Angeline (Angie) and her husband Sergio Querido. She also leaves her adored grandchildren, Jeremy Querido, Dimitri Sideriadis and his wife Julie, Melanie Taylor and her husband James, and Jon Sideriadis. Maria was also the proud great-grandmother of Andi and Iko Sideriadis and Madison and Hudson Taylor. She was predeceased by five brothers and sisters in Greece.

The family is sincerely grateful for the compassionate care that Maria received from her caretaker, Vita Colossale and the outstanding and kind staff with her Hospice team.

Maria will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. She was passionately involved in the Hartford community for decades. In 1990 she was recognized by the Hartford Courant as Mother of the Year for her strength and optimism in the face of adversity.

A devout member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, she served as Sr. Citizen Club president and spent countless hours cooking for the annual Greek Festival. She enjoyed preparing traditional foods at home, too, for her loving family and dear friends. Maria loved gardening--she had the most beautiful roses on Allen Place!

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on November 10, 2017 at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 9 from 4:00-7:00 at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, with a Trisayion Service at 6 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Please visit www.dillonbaxter.com to share a memory with the family.