Despina Manikas, Managed and Renovated Real Estate

Despina Manikas passed away Friday Aug. 4.

She was born in Kalloni on the Greek island of Mytelene. Manikas was educated in Greece and grew up with deep roots in the Greek Orthodox Church where her choral talent was a key part of every church service.

At the age of 18, she married James Manikas and moved to the Haverhill area, living in
Groveland for most of her life. Together they managed and renovated real estate. When elementary school students at the Shanahan School studied world cultures, she was invited to speak to third graders about Greek history and culture. Manikas was a member of the Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church and served as a committee member for the church’s first Holiday Fair.

Manikas loved being outdoors and was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. She enjoyed flower arranging, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and was a very talented chef. She also had
a great fondness for animals, especially homeless ones as evidenced by repeated shelter
adoptions.

She was the wife of the late James Manikas, who died in 2008, and her survivors include a daughter, Christina Manikas of Groveland; and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her calling hours Thursday, Aug. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m., at H.L. Farmer and Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. Her funeral takes place Friday morning, Aug. 11, beginning at 9, at the funeral home, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., in Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154-156 Winter St., Haverhill. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to Nevins Farm Canine Fund, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.