A former 8th Ward Alderman in Evanston died peacefully May 30 at the Hancock Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Quincy, Mass. She was the beloved wife of the late Gustavius Papangelis, devoted mother of the late Michael P. Papangelis and dear sister of Nancy L. Morton of Quincy. She is also survived by nine nieces and nephews.
Ms. Papangelis was born in West Palm Beach, Fla. to Herbert and Ruth (Hyed) Seidel. She was raised in Boston and graduated from Boston University and later earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. She had lived in Quincy for the past five years, previously in Evanston for over fifty years.
She began her career as a social worker at the Children’s Home & Aid Society of Illinois, a private child welfare agency. Over her long career, she worked as a caseworker in the Foster Care Department, and then served as Assistant Director of the Evanston Children’s Home before becoming Director of Professional Education and Training for 10 years. Her program was awarded the Estelle Gabriel Prize for excellence in social work training.
Her civic contributions were indispensable. From 1975 through 1983 she was the two-term alderman for the City’s 8th Ward. In addition she served as chairperson of the Evanston Township Relief Committee, Evanston Mental Health Board, the United Way and the Civil Services Committee. She was an early member of the Evanston Community Foundation.
She was a member of the “Ladies Fall Leaf Tour,” composed of her close friends who met for lunch every Thursday for 40 years. Her interests included being a Master in Duplicate Bridge, a gourmet cook, stamp collector and gardener.
Private family services to celebrate Ms. Papangelis’s life were conducted at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals in Quincy, Mass.
Donations may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.