Helen (Papahanges) Gardikes

Worthington, Ohio – Helen P. Gardikes, having just celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends, fell asleep in the Lord on August 10, 2026, at Willow Brook Christian Home, surrounded by her family. Born on July 7, 1936, in Springfield, Ohio, Helen was the devoted daughter of immigrant parents from Greece, Prokopi "Peter" Papahanges of Vytina in the Peloponnese and Maria (Benetatos) Papahanges of Nifi on the Island of Kefalonia. Helen was also the younger sister of Gus (Constantine) P. Papahanges, whom she loved tremendously.

After graduating with a degree in Education from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she was "a Fuzzie" and a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, Helen worked as an elementary school teacher in Springfield. During this time, Helen met the love of her life, Dr. John J. Gardikes of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Damasi, Greece. They lived in Alabama, New Jersey, and Minnesota before eventually settling and becoming long-time residents of Worthington, Ohio.

Faith, Family, and Friends were the most important things to Helen. Helen lived a life deeply rooted in her Greek Orthodox Christian faith. She was a pillar of her community and a longtime, devout member of The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio. Her warm, generous spirit and love for fellowship were best expressed through philanthropy. With the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Helen visited homebound individuals, nursing facilities, and hospitals, and also helped feed the homeless. In addition, Helen was a member of TWIGS and participated in the TWIGS Bazaar. Reflecting her love for children, Helen volunteered at St. Ann's Hospital NICU holding babies, worked as a preschool teacher in Worthington, and enjoyed teaching Sunday School at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

She lived a life of immense love, unwavering devotion, and deep care for her family. Helen loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love and support were unconditional. She was the epicenter of family gatherings and tradition, deeply valuing getting her family and extended family together and staying connected. Helen was also a loving caregiver for her mother, Maria. They were featured on the front cover of the Columbus Dispatch newspaper's 1995 Mother's Day edition, titled "A Priceless Gift To Mother." Her attitude about caregiving was simple and practical: "With the help of God you go on and do what you have to do."

Helen loved socializing and had many wonderful lifelong friends with whom she enjoyed taking trips, vacationing, playing tennis, playing bridge, dining out, and going to the movies. Helen adventured around the world, traveling to Greece to see family, and journeying throughout the Holy Lands, New Zealand, Australia, North America, and Europe on numerous trips.

Helen was preceded in death by John, her beloved husband of many years; her parents, Peter and Maria; her brother, Gus; her parents-in-law, Demetri and Ourania (Economou) Gardikis, both of Damasi, Greece; her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Katherine (Gardikes) and Earl Richards, and Bessie (Gardikes) and Jim Brooks; her niece, Elaine (Richards) Hatcher (Tim Hatcher); her Godson, Dr. Neocles Leontis; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins from Ohio, New Jersey, and Greece whom she loved dearly and of whom there are too many to name.

Helen leaves behind a rich legacy of love and beautiful memories. She is survived by her devoted family: her daughter, Renee Gardikes Gingery (Michael Gingery); her son, Father Demetrios (James) Gardikes (Presvytera Susanna (Sherri) Gardikes); her youngest son, Peter Gardikes (Vicky Constantinidis Gardikes); her grandchildren, Michelle (Miller) Beachler (Matthew Louwers), Michael Miller, Christine (Miller) Estes (William Estes), John Gardikes, and Robert Gardikes (Emily Shambrock Gardikes); her cherished great-grandchildren, Jackson Beachler, Addison Beachler, and Juliette Estes; her brother-in-law, Dr. Arthur Gardikes; her sister-in-law, Maria Papahanges; her many nieces and nephews, James (Jim) Richards, Dorian Richards (Dr. Jill Richards), Annie Brooks (Wayne Rotterman), Art Brooks (Amy Schuman Brooks), Bill Brooks, Peter Papahanges (Tricia Papahanges), Tina Papahanges, and Elina Karagiannakou; as well as many other loving great-nieces, great-nephews, Godchildren, extended family members, and dear friends both in the United States and Greece.

Her family deeply thanks all the nurses and staff who lovingly cared for Mom this past year at Willow Brook Christian Home, as well as Luminary Hospice, her physicians, therapists, and personal trainer, all of whom showed great compassion in their care.

Visitation: Family and friends may call on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 4 pm to 7 pm at O.R. Woodyard, 2990 Bethel Rd., Columbus, OH 43220, where a Trisagion Service will be held at 6:45 pm.

Funeral Service: Funeral Service will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 10:30 am at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 North High St., Columbus, OH 43215. For those who cannot attend, the Funeral Service will be livestreamed in the media tab at GreekCathedral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Helen's memory to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Society.

May Helen's memory be eternal.