Obituary for Nina Pappas Speairs FORT WORTH – Nina Pappas Speairs, PhD, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at her home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. YiaYia, as she was affectionately known to her family, was born in Hazard, Kentucky on Oct.
8, 1928. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati, Master’s Degree from Northwestern University and her Doctorate from University of Illinois. Education was an important part of her life and was a value she instilled in each of her children.
Nina loved teaching others to become teachers and did so at the University of Illinois and University of Texas at Arlington. Nina was also passionate about the Olympics. She was appointed to the United States Olympic Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Education Subcommittee.
Nina had the privilege of organizing, leading or lecturing at various Olympic Academies in the United States and other countries, promoting the spirit and ideals of the Olympic Movement. She was selected as Chef de Mission for the U.S. delegation to the 1977 International Olympic Academy in Greece. A staunch conservative, Nina was very involved in Republican politics, serving as precinct chairman of different precincts for many years.
At the age of 84, she walked door to door in Ohio for Mitt Romney’s presidential bid. YiaYia led an active life and in her later years managed her own financial services company, which provided financial planning and insurance products. Throughout her years she enjoyed being part of many civic organizations, including the Fort Worth Opera Guild (past President), Fort Worth Symphony League, Fort Worth Women’s Club, The Woman’s Wednesday Club, Fort Worth Lecture Foundation and the Ridglea Rejebian Club.
She also enjoyed being a Skipperette at the Fort Worth Boat Club. YiaYia was also devoted to her Church, St. Demetrios, where she served on the Parish Council. YiaYia loved spending time with her family and they will all miss her encouragement, spunk and wonderful sense of humor.
Nina was preceded in death by her husband, Mitchell Speairs; and her sister, Kitty Miller. Survivors: Children, John (Nancy) Pappas, Nick (Cathy) Pappas, Vivian (Steve) Unger, Mark (Lindy) Pappas, and Carol (Adam) Siegel; grandchildren, Alex Pappas, Alaina (Konsta) Antilla, Stefani (Ryan) Hill, Natalie Pappas, Jonathan Unger, Madalyn Unger, Andrew Pappas, Elizabeth (Aaron) Buzzard, William Pappas, Alison Pappas, Nathan Siegel, Noah Siegel and Nina Siegel; great-grandchildren, Tucker Hill, Emma Hill, Sean Buzzard, Ethan Buzzard and Matthew Buzzard; sister, Pat Kappel; Aunt Betty; and numerous nieces and nephews. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nina Pappas Speairs please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 APR 13. 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM GREENWOOD CHAPEL Greenwood Funeral Homes and Cremation, Cemetery, Mausoleum, Florist 3100 White Settlement Road Fort Worth, TX, US, 76107 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Nina’s Visitation begins. Funeral 2018 APR 14.
02:00 PM St Demetrius Greek Orthodox 2020 NW 21st St Fort Worth, TX, US, 76164 Order Flowers for the Funeral Guaranteed delivery before Nina’s Funeral begins.
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