Stamatia Constantinou

Stamatia “Lou” Constantinou passed away on Sept. 12, 2023. She was 91. Lou was born to Greek immigrant parents in Tarpon Springs, Fla., but spent much of her life in Durham, N.C.

For 30 years, she was a fixture in Durham County Superior Court where she worked as a courtroom reporter. She was the first female president of the North Carolina Young Democrats. President John F. Kennedy had the privilege of meeting her in the Rose Garden at the White House. When asked later of her thoughts about the late president, she once remarked with a twinkle in her eye: “He was something else.” She remained active in politics for the rest of her life.

She loved to travel to Europe, including Greece and Italy, but one of her fondest memories was a voyage to Alaska with her nephew John. She enjoyed spending time at her beach house on Emerald Isle on the North Carolina coast with her great-niece and great-nephew. She treasured time spent with friends and family, whether it was making a road trip for Jimmy’s Hot Dogs or having dinner at home.

Lou was a vital member of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church community in Durham, where she had served on the Parish Council and on the board in the Philoptochos Society. She was a devout Greek Orthodox and dedicated herself to serving others.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Hariklia Constantinou; her beloved brother, Michael; sister, Christallo “Dolly” Zervos; and her niece, Harriet. She is survived by her nephews, John and Costa Constantinou; her niece, Catherine Constantinou; nephews George Zervos and Timothy Angelis; and her great-niece Athena and great-nephew John Michael, whom she loved so very much.