Helen P. Michaels
17 Dec 1923 - 22 Aug 2010
Helen Pappas Michaels, 86, formerly of Manchester, NH, died August 22, 2010, in her home in Santa Fe, NM.
She was born December 17, 1923, in Manchester, the daughter of Paraskevi Hadzigianoulis and Arthur Pappas, co-founder i& owner with Louis Canotas of the Puritan Restaurant, Manchester. Growing up in a restaurant family, Helen's first job as a teenager was waitressing at the Puritan. She was a talented pianist with an excellent ear; at age sixteen she won the Whittemore Pianoforte Scholarship, a statewide competition. She later earned an AB degree in music from Wheaton College, CT.
Helen followed the footsteps of her brother, Charles Pappas; at age 22 she signed up for pilot lessons, to learn to fly airplanes. However, her sense of adventure was diverted into her engagement to Michael Coucouvitis, MD, later known as Dr. Michael Michaels of Manchester. Following their marriage in 1946, she bore three children who survive her, Arthur M. Coucouvitis of Jamaica, NY, Philip Stacy Michaels of Evergreen, CO and Katherine Paras of Santa Fe, NM.
In addition to the work of raising a family, Helen created and managed with her husband two nursing homes, the Eagle Convalescent Center in Concord, NH and the Hanover Hill Nursing Home in Manchester. The former was originally the historic Eagle Hotel where Daniel Webster purportedly slept, opposite the state capitol building. In 1961 Helen and Dr. Michaels donated a life-size copper ram weather vane, originally from the rooftop of the hotel to the Currier Museum of Art. This 19th century American Sculpture is still on display from time to time. Helen also created and managed with her husband the Coucouvitis-Pappas Scholarship Fund, to encourage further education of applicants from the Greek community. This and other related funds were later merged into what is currently The Greater Manchester Hellenic Scholarship Fund.
On a more intimate note, many of us remember the love and hospitality Helen extended to family and friends every summer at the Michael's camp on Pleasant Lake in Deerfield. As a matter of course, Helen generously served meals to 18-25 people every weekend, taught children to swim and water ski and provided through her person, a vibrant and energetic hearth for these gatherings.
Upon her husband's retirement in 1977, the couple moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Michael suffered a massive stroke in 1987; Helen took devoted care of him in their home where he died peacefully in his sleep in 1994. After his death, she explored new interests, learning tai chi, yoga and meditation, while maintaining her avid interest in golf and resuming activities in music and art. In January 2007 Helen moved to Santa Fe, where she studied Japanese Sumi-e painting and joined a retirement center. Upon returning to her Florida home for one last visit, she suffered a major stroke in November 2007. Undaunted by the stroke, her sense of humor often had people around her in tears from laughter. She died peacefully in her sleep almost three years after the stroke.
Helen is also survived by Helen Canotas Routhier of Stuart, FL, with whom she grew up like sisters; one granddaughter, two great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren. Helen will be remembered in many ways by many people, but especially for her intuitive intelligence, her spunk, her warmth and seemingly boundless vitality.
SERVICES: Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4 to 8 P.M. at Goodwin Funeral Home, 607 Chestnut Street, corner of Harrison Street, Manchester, NH, with a Trisagion service at 5:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 A.M. in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester. The Reverend Andrew Mahalares, Dean of the Cathedral will officiate. Graveside services will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be sent to a charity of one's choice or The Greater Manchester Hellenic Scholarship Fund, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104.