Joanna Bakas

Joanna was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world on September 30, 2021 at age 91.

She was born to James and Sophia Sideropoulos on January 16, 1930. She grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts along with her sisters Desi, Esther, Sodira, Porta, Tina, and Thalia.

After graduating from Burdette College and working in the legal community as an administrative assistant, she met her husband, Theodore Bakas, at a church picnic. Together they raised three children: Steve, James and Michael. Initially living in Mission Hill (where her husband was born and resided), they moved to West Roxbury where they raised their family. Later in life, they moved to Westwood where they spent the remainder of their time together.
A devout steward of the Greek Orthodox faith, Joanna spent most of her adult life working for her church. First at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England and then at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. At age 86, she reluctantly retired after serving as the Executive Assistant to the Office of the President of the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for over 27 years (1989 – 2016).
Joanna dedicated her life to her family supporting the boys in whatever sports and activities they were engaged in at any time while pushing them to do well academically (which was no small task). She loved traveling, leaving her bags always packed for any opportunity. She was an amazing cook, creating many "village dishes" capturing her Greek heritage to share with a house that was always filled with family and friend gatherings.
She cherished her time with her daughters-in-law: Debbie, Edrea and Pauline. She was most proud of her grandchildren: Nikki, Rachel, Teddy, Anna, Nicholas, Jessica, Allie and Madison.

A wake service is scheduled for 10 am on October 7, 2021 at the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology's Chapel located at 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA 02445. Funeral services will begin at 11am on that same day followed by interment at the New Westwood Cemetery located at 877-881 High St, Westwood, MA 02090.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Joanna to the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA 02445.