Catherine Sikalis Halachis, 89, of Round Hill, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2020, with family by her side.

Catherine was born to the late Spiros and Helen Sikalis on November 16, 1930, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She graduated with honors from Cambridge High and Latin School in 1948, and went on to study at Boston University.

She married the late John Halachis in 1952 and, with John’s career as an Air Force fighter pilot and military attaché, went on to live in a variety of states and countries before finally settling in Round Hill, Virginia in 2007. Catherine was predeceased by John, whom she called the love of her life, in 2013.

Catherine was the devoted mother of three children: Deborah Emmert (and deceased husband Fred) of Leesburg, Virginia; Lisa Abramson (and husband Daniel) of Round Hill, Virginia; and Alexander Halachis (and wife Judy) of Blackstone, Massachusetts. She was the beloved yiayia of three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and loving sister of Calliope Carmosino of Mashpee, Massachusetts. Catherine was predeceased by brothers Peter and Theodore, and sisters Eugenia and Margaret, all of Boston, Massachusetts.

Catherine embraced life with a lively intelligence and sense of adventure. She was an asset to her husband as they traveled the world, and made lifelong friendships with those she met along the way. She was an avid bookworm, often reading three titles a week, and a valued member of several book clubs over the years. Catherine was a committed community volunteer, leading Brownie and Cub Scout troops over the years, and teaching English to Vietnamese refugees.

Most of all, however, Catherine was a devoted mother who raised her children with an abundance of love and laughter. Catherine remained a source of wisdom and comfort to whom her children and grandchildren turned throughout the years. She was immensely proud of her family, and leaves them with the warmth of her love, and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Funeral services will take place at 11:30 am on Tuesday, February 25 at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Winchester, Virginia. A viewing at the church will precede the services, at 11 am. Catherine will be buried alongside her husband John at Arlington National Cemetery, at a date to be determined. In lieu of sending flowers, her family asks that donations be made, in her memory, to the Humane Society of Loudoun County, Virginia. www.humaneloudoun.org

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Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die.
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