Theodora Thomas

Theodora "Teddy" Panayota Thomas, a dedicated educator, devoted mother, and beloved aunt, died June 4, 2023, in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Visitation will be at 9 am Tuesday at St. Herman Orthodox Church in Littleton, with the funeral service at 10 am. Burial will follow at Golden Cemetery in Golden.

Teddy was born Aug. 15, 1940, in New York City to Mary and Stephen Troyanos. She accomplished much in her life, which started as one of six children born to a family of immigrants from Greece and Belarus. Two years after Teddy's mother passed away, the 17 year old Teddy went to live with her beloved older sister Joan in San Antonio, Texas. Teddy always said that move changed her life, exposing her to a world outside the city and strengthened her strong bond with Joan and her sister's seven children. Teddy graduated from Trinity University and moved to Denver, where she lived out her life both as a mother to her son, Matthew, from her marriage to Chris Christenbury, and also as a teacher.

Teddy was an accomplished pianist who taught music as well as English, Spanish, and computer software in Denver-area schools for 32 years. In retirement, she worked in a law office for many years as a legal assistant.

A person of uncompromising standards, Teddy had a lively sense of humor, a fierce sense of social justice, and a love of international travel. She was a reader, loyal friend, and a founding member of St. Herman Orthodox Church. Everyone knew never to call Teddy on Sundays, during which time she and Matt enthusiastically watched the Red Zone together.

Teddy cherished her family, both living and gone before her.

Among those who will dearly miss Teddy are daughter-in-law, Melinda Brady-Christenbury; grandchildren Crimson Storm Christenbury and Jeremy Michael Rose; cousin Steve Zinkowitz and wife Roxanne; the seven children of her sister Joan, and anyone who had the great fortune to know her.

~ May Her Memory Be Eternal ~