In Remembrance Of Chris' Great Aunt Angie

Angela Karageorge Varlas
September 14, 1916 - September 17, 2008

Age: 92
Birthplace: Wheeling, West Virginia
Resided In: Wheeling, West Virginia
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, WV

Varlas, Angela Karageorge, 92, of Wheeling died on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at her home. She was born September 14, 1916 in Wheeling the daughter of the late John and Anna Raisides Karageorge. A life-long member of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Wheeling where she served in many capacities. She was a member of the Sundy School staff for 25 years and later served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School.

She was the first woman to serve on Church Council, serving for a period of six years. In 1982 she was tonsured a Church Lay reader by His Grace, Bishop Maximos of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the first woman of the Diocese to be bestowed this honor. She chaired, or was part of the Grecian Food Festival for 14 years. She served as Chairman for the first Choir Federation Conference for the northern United States, which was held at Oglebay Park. She worked closely for the event with Father John Geranios and Archbishop Athenagoras of the New York Archdiocese.

She was a 72 year member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a church auxiliary organization, serving in many capacities including Board of Directors Chapter President, serving and chairing many committees and activities. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the Diocesan Council of Pittsburgh and served on the Executive Board as First Vice President. For many years, she served as Diocesan Chairman on the Committee for St. Basil Academy of Garrison, New York, an orphanage supported by the Philoptochos Society. For many years, she traveled to different churches in the dioceses and lectured to raise money for the institution. She attended as a delegate many Diocesan and National Conference and Conventions and served on many prestigious committees including Legislative committees. Angela was a Charter Member of the Daughters of Penelope and was elected Charter President when the Wheeling Chapter was founded in 1952. She served her Chapter in many capacities and activities including three different terms as President.

She was active on the District level of her organization, serving many offices and chairing committees. Two times she was elected District Governor. In 1958 in Power District Pennsylvania, and in 1964 she was again elected District Governor of Buckeye District of Ohio. Her services were further extended on the national level of the organization. Many times she chaired prestigious national committees. In 1979 she was elected to the office of Grand Governor. In 1975 she was selected from among members throughout the United States as “National Penelope of the Year,” the top honor of membership.

Angela attended West Liberty State College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, majoring in English Grammar. She also attended for further schooling, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she studied languages. She was a retired school teacher, retiring in 1980. She taught in Marshall county as an elementary teacher at Big Wheeling Creek School and Sherrard Elementary School. She also served as an elementary school principal. She was a lifetime PTA member and a member ot the WVEA and NEA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Stella Arslain. Surviving are her daughters, Anna-K. Fanning of Boca Raton, FL and Ellen Culler and her husband, John D. Culler of Wheeling; a sister, Helen Kalis of Wheeling; three grandchildren, Maria and Jessica Fanning of Boca Raton, FL and George Michael Culler of Wheeling; 12 Godchildren and many nieces and nephews.