Obituary for Cynthia Carol Chamberas (Dantos)
On February 1st, Cynthia Chamberas passed away peacefully at the age of 84. Cynthia was kind, welcoming, and generous to all. She enjoyed a life full of love, faith and family.
In 1937, she was born in Andover, MA, to Peter Dantos and Irene (Hedges) Dantos, the second of three children. During her childhood, she spent afternoons and weekends in her father’s store, The Andover Spa, making ice cream sodas and learning the value of hard work and community. She graduated from Andover’s Punchard High School in 1955 and worked as an X-Ray Technician. Later, to explore her love of teaching she attended the Saint Basil Academy Teachers’ College in Garrison, NY, and earned an Associate's degree in Greek language and history.
After earning her degree , she returned to Andover where she met her beloved husband, George. In 1961, they were married at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The couple settled in Chelmsford, MA, where they built their lives together. Cynthia raised her five children by example, and was actively involved in their education. She exhibited grace under fire and constantly raised the bar in regards to what it means to be a good person.
Mrs. Chamberas was a well loved teacher at Hellenic Greek American School in Lowell, MA, for many years. She also shared her faith by teaching Sunday School at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. While managing the finances for the family-owned real estate business, she adopted the use of early personal computers.
In following the teachings of the Church, she forgave willingly and easily. At the loss of her son Tom, she drew upon her deep faith to help others by creating the Thomas Chamberas Runners’ Scholarship Fund, which later became part of an endowment at UMass, Lowell.
Cynthia was an accomplished pianist, avid reader and tireless walker. As a grandmother, “Yiayia” lived in Salem, MA, close to her family. She had a special bond with each of her children and grandchildren and found great pleasure in being a welcomed presence in their lives. She supported and encouraged her grandchildren and found joy in their individuality. Yiayia shared many adventures with them such as parent-free getaways, epic sleepovers, and Revolutionary War encampments.
Cynthia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, godmother, and friend. She is survived by her daughter Pam and her husband Jim, son David, son Michael and his wife Anastasia, son Anthony and his wife Bridget; grandchildren Arianna, Louis, Nicholas, Sunning, Thomas, and Annie; and brother Paul Dantos. She was predeceased by her husband George; son Tom; her sister Thea; her parents Peter and Irene Dantos; and her in-laws Presbytera Artemis and Fr. Athanasios Chamberas.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Cynthia on Saturday, February 5th, 2022, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Andover, MA. Visiting hours will be at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will take place in Providence, RI. following the service. You are kindly invited to view the funeral services via livestream. www.youtube.com/user/andoverorthodox
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA 01810.
In 1937, she was born in Andover, MA, to Peter Dantos and Irene (Hedges) Dantos, the second of three children. During her childhood, she spent afternoons and weekends in her father’s store, The Andover Spa, making ice cream sodas and learning the value of hard work and community. She graduated from Andover’s Punchard High School in 1955 and worked as an X-Ray Technician. Later, to explore her love of teaching she attended the Saint Basil Academy Teachers’ College in Garrison, NY, and earned an Associate's degree in Greek language and history.
After earning her degree , she returned to Andover where she met her beloved husband, George. In 1961, they were married at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The couple settled in Chelmsford, MA, where they built their lives together. Cynthia raised her five children by example, and was actively involved in their education. She exhibited grace under fire and constantly raised the bar in regards to what it means to be a good person.
Mrs. Chamberas was a well loved teacher at Hellenic Greek American School in Lowell, MA, for many years. She also shared her faith by teaching Sunday School at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. While managing the finances for the family-owned real estate business, she adopted the use of early personal computers.
In following the teachings of the Church, she forgave willingly and easily. At the loss of her son Tom, she drew upon her deep faith to help others by creating the Thomas Chamberas Runners’ Scholarship Fund, which later became part of an endowment at UMass, Lowell.
Cynthia was an accomplished pianist, avid reader and tireless walker. As a grandmother, “Yiayia” lived in Salem, MA, close to her family. She had a special bond with each of her children and grandchildren and found great pleasure in being a welcomed presence in their lives. She supported and encouraged her grandchildren and found joy in their individuality. Yiayia shared many adventures with them such as parent-free getaways, epic sleepovers, and Revolutionary War encampments.
Cynthia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, godmother, and friend. She is survived by her daughter Pam and her husband Jim, son David, son Michael and his wife Anastasia, son Anthony and his wife Bridget; grandchildren Arianna, Louis, Nicholas, Sunning, Thomas, and Annie; and brother Paul Dantos. She was predeceased by her husband George; son Tom; her sister Thea; her parents Peter and Irene Dantos; and her in-laws Presbytera Artemis and Fr. Athanasios Chamberas.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Cynthia on Saturday, February 5th, 2022, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Andover, MA. Visiting hours will be at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will take place in Providence, RI. following the service. You are kindly invited to view the funeral services via livestream. www.youtube.com/user/andoverorthodox
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA 01810.