Obituary of Joanna (Halekas) Panagopoulos Merakos

Joanna (Halekas) (Panagopoulos) Merakos, of Beverly and formerly of Peabody passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15th 2014 two days short of her 87th Birthday at the Essex Park Rehab and Nursing Home in Beverly. She was born in Taunton, MA, the daughter of the late Peter and Sophia Halekas and was a graduate of Taunton High School and later from Bristol County Business College. She had been employed at the Auger Insurance Agency of Salem as a credit collection manager for over 30 years prior to her retirement. In 1950, she married Atty. Charles Panagopoulos for 29 years until his death in 1979. She had led an active life and enjoyed participating in civil and social clubs including Daughters of the Eastern Star, the Zonta International and also the Philopothos Society of St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church. The organization that meant the most to her was the Daughters of Penelope that she joined in 1950, the Zelia Chapter, # 120 of Salem and Peabody and rose up the chairs of the District Lodge and later in 1969 to the Grand President of the Nation. During her term, she accomplished many improvements in the functioning of the Grand Lodge by her expertise of modern equipment and her supervision. She traveled across the country visiting most of the chapters even outside of the United States. She continued to be active after her term developing her pet project of building low income housing with the help of HUD and AHEPA, a mission that she accomplished. She also created in her tenure the Salute of Women by honoring each other year a distinguished woman at the National Convention for their accomplishments to society. She is survived by two sisters, Euterpe Petty of New Jersey and Garifilla Forsythe of Texas, her best friend Lela Kallas of Salem, MA her godchild ,Alexis Zarkades of Beverly and many nieces and nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her sisters Demetra Ellington and Bessie O'Dell both of California, her brother, Dr. George Halekas of Michigan and her late husband Dr. Steven Merakos of Peabody A Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 until 11:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility followed by Services there at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery ,Peabody Expressions of sympathy may be made to Penelope Place, 842 West Chestnut St., Brockton, MA 02301in her memory. For guestbook and directions, visit www.ccbfuneral.com