Athena V. Cox Duddy
St. Augustine, FL and Bangor
Athena Cox Duddy fell asleep in the Lord on June 24, 2024, surrounded by family following a brief illness in St. Augustine Florida at age 91. Athena was born March 23, 1933, and spent most of her life in Bangor, Maine. She is survived by her loving and supportive husband of 21 years, William Duddy, whom she reconnected with after 50 years, following the death of both of their spouses.
She successfully raised four children in Bangor and lovingly shared her life and supported her first husband of 38 years, John H. Cox (d. 1995) as Mayor of Bangor and State Senator.
Athena was born in Bangor, Maine to Vassor Vafiades and Jennie (Brountas) Vafiades who emigrated from Greece at the turn of the 20th century. She grew up in Bangor and attended local schools and later earned her Associate degree from Husson College (now Husson University).
Athena was known to all as one of the most loveable, cheerful, and sincere people you could ever meet. She was truly a “happy soul” with a contagious smile and gentle face. She was active in many organizations over the years, including Decade Club (Bangor ladies club), bridge clubs wherever she was, and the Ladies Philoptochos Society (philanthropic church organization) in both Bangor and St. Augustine for over 70 years. She loved the Red Hat society which gave her the opportunity to tell stories, reminisce and make new friends even into her nineties. She was also active on the condo associate social committee at her development in Florida.
She will be remembered for her outgoing personality and her ability to always have a good time regardless of the activity. She enjoyed and attended a variety of activities from music performances to sporting events including her beloved Red Sox and Patriots. It did not matter where she was—she always had a wonderful time.
Athena worked as the school secretary for Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Bangor for almost three decades. Mrs. Cox was always there to help the children and even today, there are people who mention to family how positive, compassionate, and supportive she always was when they were young kids attending the school.
At the end of each school year, Athena would get the boys a crew cut and the Cox family would head off to the camp at Green Lake for the summer. Athena relished the opportunity to watch the children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, and neighbors enjoy the pleasures of swimming, boating, fishing, and relaxing at Green Lake.
As a mother, Athena was always supportive and proud of her children. At the same time, she taught important life lessons such as the expectation to work during the summer, personal responsibility, and the need to help around the house and camp as contributing members of the family.
Athena was predeceased by her first husband John H. Cox (d. 1995) as well as all her brothers and their respective wives: Steven Vafiades (Mary), Lewis Vafiades (Marian), Venizelos Vafiades (Geddy) and Nicholas Vafiades (Dee).
She is also survived by her four children: Kevin Cox (Sherri) of Ellsworth, John W. Cox (Debbie) of Portland, Thomas J. Cox (Catherine) of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and Karen J. Cox Silva (James) of St. Augustine, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Callie Cox, John A. Cox, John T. Cox, and Daniel T. Cox, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Athena was proud of her Greek heritage and was a lifelong supporter of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor and in later years, Holy Trinity Church in St. Augustine. Her parents were founders of the St. George Church in Bangor 95 years ago. She constantly gave of her time, talent, and treasure to support both churches. She would make her famous baklava pastries to sell and sold tickets to the Greek Ball in Bangor, which for many years was the premier social event of eastern Maine. Every year she was the top seller of tickets to the Fashion Show for Holy Trinity Church in St. Augustine.
Because of her cheerful and loving manner, no one could say no when she asked for help to support her various charitable and social activities and events.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:00 to 11:00 on Monday, July 1 at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 90 Sanford Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. The funeral will be held at 11:00 at the church, followed by interment at the City Section of Mt. Hope Cemetery, with Rev. Leo Schefe officiating. Contributions are welcome to the St. George Church Memorial Fund in Athena’s name.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Athena Cox Duddy, please visit our flower store.
St. Augustine, FL and Bangor
Athena Cox Duddy fell asleep in the Lord on June 24, 2024, surrounded by family following a brief illness in St. Augustine Florida at age 91. Athena was born March 23, 1933, and spent most of her life in Bangor, Maine. She is survived by her loving and supportive husband of 21 years, William Duddy, whom she reconnected with after 50 years, following the death of both of their spouses.
She successfully raised four children in Bangor and lovingly shared her life and supported her first husband of 38 years, John H. Cox (d. 1995) as Mayor of Bangor and State Senator.
Athena was born in Bangor, Maine to Vassor Vafiades and Jennie (Brountas) Vafiades who emigrated from Greece at the turn of the 20th century. She grew up in Bangor and attended local schools and later earned her Associate degree from Husson College (now Husson University).
Athena was known to all as one of the most loveable, cheerful, and sincere people you could ever meet. She was truly a “happy soul” with a contagious smile and gentle face. She was active in many organizations over the years, including Decade Club (Bangor ladies club), bridge clubs wherever she was, and the Ladies Philoptochos Society (philanthropic church organization) in both Bangor and St. Augustine for over 70 years. She loved the Red Hat society which gave her the opportunity to tell stories, reminisce and make new friends even into her nineties. She was also active on the condo associate social committee at her development in Florida.
She will be remembered for her outgoing personality and her ability to always have a good time regardless of the activity. She enjoyed and attended a variety of activities from music performances to sporting events including her beloved Red Sox and Patriots. It did not matter where she was—she always had a wonderful time.
Athena worked as the school secretary for Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Bangor for almost three decades. Mrs. Cox was always there to help the children and even today, there are people who mention to family how positive, compassionate, and supportive she always was when they were young kids attending the school.
At the end of each school year, Athena would get the boys a crew cut and the Cox family would head off to the camp at Green Lake for the summer. Athena relished the opportunity to watch the children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, and neighbors enjoy the pleasures of swimming, boating, fishing, and relaxing at Green Lake.
As a mother, Athena was always supportive and proud of her children. At the same time, she taught important life lessons such as the expectation to work during the summer, personal responsibility, and the need to help around the house and camp as contributing members of the family.
Athena was predeceased by her first husband John H. Cox (d. 1995) as well as all her brothers and their respective wives: Steven Vafiades (Mary), Lewis Vafiades (Marian), Venizelos Vafiades (Geddy) and Nicholas Vafiades (Dee).
She is also survived by her four children: Kevin Cox (Sherri) of Ellsworth, John W. Cox (Debbie) of Portland, Thomas J. Cox (Catherine) of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and Karen J. Cox Silva (James) of St. Augustine, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Callie Cox, John A. Cox, John T. Cox, and Daniel T. Cox, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Athena was proud of her Greek heritage and was a lifelong supporter of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor and in later years, Holy Trinity Church in St. Augustine. Her parents were founders of the St. George Church in Bangor 95 years ago. She constantly gave of her time, talent, and treasure to support both churches. She would make her famous baklava pastries to sell and sold tickets to the Greek Ball in Bangor, which for many years was the premier social event of eastern Maine. Every year she was the top seller of tickets to the Fashion Show for Holy Trinity Church in St. Augustine.
Because of her cheerful and loving manner, no one could say no when she asked for help to support her various charitable and social activities and events.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:00 to 11:00 on Monday, July 1 at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 90 Sanford Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. The funeral will be held at 11:00 at the church, followed by interment at the City Section of Mt. Hope Cemetery, with Rev. Leo Schefe officiating. Contributions are welcome to the St. George Church Memorial Fund in Athena’s name.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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