Helen A. Papaioanou

Dr. Helen A. Papaioanou

July 21, 1928 - December 29, 2019

The residents and staff of Covenant Living of Cromwell extend their sympathy to the family and friends of Helen A. Papaioanou, 91, who died at Pilgrim Manor early Sunday morning, December 29, 2019.

Helen was born into a strong ethnic family. Her father emigrated from Greece at age 17 and married her Italian mother in the US.  They were supported by a Baptist church in Springfield, MA, and attended church there.  She flourished during her college years at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, academically, and in her faith. She was an active leader with church youth, graduating with B.S. in biology in 1949.

One of four women in her class, she graduated with her M.D. from the Boston University in 1953 and received her M.S. in internal medicine from the University of Michigan in 1968.   She served a three-year internship at Boston City Hospital, and then worked as Head of Pediatrics at McDowell Memorial hospital at a coal mining town in KY. She had a private practice in Westfield, MA and later in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, MI.  But the character of her medical career was defined in 1982 when she accepted the challenges of working with children from the inner-city and serving as director of Allergy and the Allergy/Immunology Physician-training Program at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, where she earned the Distinguished Physician Award.  She was also chosen as one of the “Best doctors in Detroit“ by the Detroit Monthly magazine.  She also lectured and held teaching appointments. Helen retired from Children’s Hospital in 1991 and returned to private practice at the end of her career.  When she fully retired in 1994, she remained near her beloved friends in St. Clair Shores, MI and volunteered teaching English to adults in Detroit.

Helen had a life-long commitment to serving her Bates College community, beginning as a Trustee in 1965.  She served on multiple boards and committees. She was the Trustee Chair of their fundraising campaign (1992-99), key in raising $60 million. “Her quiet and inspired leadership and unstinting hard work led to her success in the College’s largest fundraising effort ever”, was written about her at the time.  She received several Alumni Distinguished Service Awards

The Bates College President honored her with an honorary Doctor of Science degree “For her life-long witness to the power of love and science in service to others, for her integrity and relentless optimism, for the model she has been for other women to pursue science at Bates, and for her ability to draw the friends and graduates of this College together…”.

During the last 10 years at Covenant Living of Cromwell, she has loved and been loved by many; staff and residents alike. Her smiles, hugs and kisses will be missed by all.

Helen is survived by her sister, Antoinette (“Toni”) and her husband Wayne who live at CLOC.  Her niece, Ruth and husband Rob live in Middletown, CT. Her nephew Mark and wife Jane live in Vermont.  And nephew Peter and wife Cynthia live in TX.  There are also seven beloved great nieces and nephews and spouses:  Joshua and Ashley, Benjamin, Jordan, Zachary, Nicole, Carl and Cassy, Andrew, and two great, great nephews, Caleb and Oscar.

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, January 4 at 10:00 AM at the Event Center of CLOC.  A light reception will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund of Covenant Living of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell  CT  06416.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Antoinette and Wayne Price

CLOC  Apartment 3121

52 Missionary Road

Cromwell, CT 06416