Erie Cocolas

Erie Calymios Cocolas age 92, died peacefully Sunday, September 4. Erie was born February 9, 1930, in Flushing, NY to the late Theodore and Effie Mastromanolin Calymios. She was preceded in death by her brother Anthony Calymios and her husband George H. Cocolas.

Erie graduated in 1947 from Forest Hills High School in Flushing, NY and worked as a bookkeeper and office manager at that high school until she married her George in 1953. They moved to Chapel Hill, where she resided for over 60 years. While living in Chapel Hill, Erie worked as a secretary for many years within the University of North Carolina system and finished her career with the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association, retiring in 1994.

Erie was a devoted parishioner and servant to her church, St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church of Durham/Chapel Hill, where she participated in many church activities, including bake sales and festivals. Erie, along with several other women of St Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, compiled the award winning “The Grecian Plate” cookbook, which of which she was very proud. Additionally, Erie was an active member and leader with both the NC Pharmaceutical Women’s Auxiliary and The Greek Philoptochos Organization.

After retiring, Erie’s passion turned to crafting. She made beautiful angel pins and ornaments. You could find her sharing that joy at local craft shows and festivals.

Surviving are her children, Katharine (Rod) Meadows of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; Harry (Susan) Cocolas of Greenville, NC; Theodora (Fredy) Gomez of Chesapeake, VA; and Anthony (Cathy) Cocolas of Mt. Pleasant, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Evan Jackson; Alexander, George and Steven Cocolas; Andy (Elsy), Jorge (Alexa) and Hector Gomez; Alexis and Sam Cocolas; and great grandchildren Roman and Rosalee Gomez.

The funeral will be Friday, September 16th at 10:00 am at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, with Fr. D. Stavroforos Mamaies presiding. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Thursday, September 15th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, with the Trisagion litany at 6:00 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation (Erie Cocolas in memo line), 194 Finley Golf Course Rd. Suite 106, Chapel Hill 27517 or to St. Barbara's Church Building Fund, 8306 Hwy 751, Durham 27713.