Themis Mackas

Themis Loizidou Mackas, 95, died Friday, March 25, 2022, after a 19-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Themis excelled in everything she did, including living longer than experts predicted with this cruel disease. Her family, who loves her endlessly, chooses to remember her like she was before Alzheimer’s stole her from us: fierce, strong, passionate, funny, hot-tempered, energetic, opinionated, brilliant. Born in Limassol, Cyprus, Themis immigrated to the United States when she was 19 to attend the University of Georgia, where she met her husband, the late James Mackas. They were married in the Greek Orthodox Church on Pryor Street in 1948. Themis and Jim, married for nearly 55 years, attended church there, and Themis taught Sunday School. They were members of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation for many years. Themis is survived by son, Christos Mackas, of Tucker; daughter and son-in-law, Maria Mackas and Randy Evans, of Atlanta; and granddaughter Marra Mackas Evans, of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Themis was known for her typing and shorthand acumen; after graduating from Massey Business College in Atlanta she began her secretarial career at the American Sterilizer Company. She retired from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, where she worked for many years. Themis was also known for her stellar handiwork; she could sew or crochet or knit anything, without using a pattern. An avid reader, her favorite book was The Count of Monte Cristo, which she read in French. She loved gardening, all kinds of plants, art, poetry, and music, especially Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra (aka ‘Frankie my boy.') When her beloved Cyprus was under siege, she wrote to every senator and representative asking for support. When they wouldn't help she was furious. But when anyone criticized the USA, she let them have it, saying, "my children were born here!"

We are all hanging on to our memories of trips to the beach, raucous board games, baking Greek cookies, glorious days and nights in Cyprus, weekends in NYC, season tickets to the Atlanta Ballet, plays at the Fox Theatre, and how much she adored her granddaughter, who was the light of her life. We will love you forever, Mama