Athena "Athy" Couchells

Athena “Athy” Couchells, a current resident of Stamford, CT and formerly of Farmingdale, NY passed away peacefully at the age of 97 in the early morning hours on December 15, 2020 at Edgehill Senior Living facility in Stamford, Ct. Athena was born on May 1, 1923 in Astoria, Queens, NY the second child of Vasiliki and Harry Telegadas who had immigrated to the United states from Greece. She was the first child in her family to graduate from college. She earned her BA from Hunter College and later earned a master’s degree in teaching from Columbia University. Athena was a retired and beloved elementary school teacher, having taught for many years at Northside Elementary School in Farmingdale, NY. She returned to teaching after a ten-year hiatus during which she was at home raising her children. Prior to that, she taught in the NY City schools system for ten years. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, and gardening and she was an avid reader and book club member – most recently participating in the Ferguson Library Book club and Atria Assisted Living book club. Athena is survived by her loving daughters and two sons-in-law. They are Stella Couchells, wife of Harry Weisfeld of Watchung, NJ and Vicki Scally wife of David Scally of Stamford, Ct. Athena had three adoring grandchildren, Gia Gulotta who is married to Anthony Salerno and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, Michael Gulotta who resides in Brooklyn , NY, and Sarah Scally who is a student at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. . Athena is predeceased by her loving husband George Couchells and sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Peter Caraberis as well as sister Lillian Seiferth and brother Kosta Telegadas. The wake and viewing will be held at Lacerenza Funeral Home located at 8 Schuyler Ave., Stamford, Ct from 2-6 PM on Friday December 18, 2020. The church service will take place at St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church located at 110 Cathedral Ave. in Hempstead, NY at 11AM on December 19, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Library Services for the Blind and Handicapped at 198 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To leave an online condolence message in remembrance of Athena, please visit www.lacerenzafh.com