Georgia James Macris, age 67, of Wilmington, NC, died Saturday, June 6, 2015, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She was born in Wilmington on July 9, 1947 to James Spiro and Fani Malavakis Macris, and was preceded in death by a brother Billy (Vasili), who died in early childhood. She is survived by a brother Spiro James Macris, a sister Mary Macris Swansbrough, a nephew James Raymond Swansbrough (Annie), a great niece Wynton Swansbrough, and a niece Christina Swansbrough Gleason (Michael). Georgia attended Chestnut Street School and New Hanover High School and graduated from Wilmington College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She taught at Delco High School for four years. She attended the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC, 1974 – 1975. She attended Parsons School of Design in New York City 1975 – 1978 and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. For the next ten years Georgia worked in New York City as a graphic designer for various advertising agencies. She received a number of awards for her work. She returned to Wilmington in 1987 to care for her father who had a terminal illness. She remained in Wilmington following his death to be with her mother, and was employed by her brother as a receptionist in his orthodontic practice. She served as caretaker for her mother during her terminal illness in 1998. Georgia was a lover of sports and completed the New York Marathon as a race walker in 1986. She was a member of the New York Roadrunners Club. She was deeply involved in her church, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and served as president of the Philoptohos Society, a woman’s philanthropic society of the Greek community. She served as editor of the 50th Anniversary Album of the church in 1992. She also served as president of the local chapter of the Daughters of Penelope, an auxiliary of the AHEPA, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. She edited “A Greek Feast,” a book of Greek recipes collected from the Greek community of Wilmington. In her introduction to the second edition of the cookbook, she wrote the following: ” “A Greek Feast’ is more than a book of Greek recipes. It is a gift to the greater community of Wilmington from a small Greek community which traces its roots back only to the turn of the century. Just as an invitation to a Greek home for sweets and coffee, for mezedes, or for dinner, is a sign of respect and friendship, so this book is presented to the public with respect and friendship. Come into our home – enjoy a Greek Feast – and let us become friends.” Georgia worked at the Greek Festival for a number of years as coordinator of the cooking demonstrations. Prior to her illness and during the early part of her eight year battle with brain cancer, Georgia enjoyed working in pottery at the Pancoe Clay Studio at the Cameron Art Museum. With the assistance and under the direction of Hiroshi Sueyoshi, she created a number of beautiful pieces of pottery. Georgia was a caring and selfless individual who deeply loved her family and who enjoyed the beauty of the world: the beauty of the flowers in her yard, the beauty of clay becoming pottery, the beauty of sports, the beauty of the religious icons of her church. She will be missed by family and friends. May her memory be everlasting. The family wishes to thank Dr. Annick Desjardins and the staff of the Duke Brain Tumor Center for their care of Georgia over eight years, as well as the many doctors in Wilmington who had a part in this care. In particular the family wishes to thank the staff of the 7th floor of New Hanover Regional Medical Center who cared for Georgia the last five days of her life. An evening prayer service will be held at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 7pm. The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm at the chapel. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 11am at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, officiated by Father Jon Emanuelson. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, DUMC, Box 3624, Durham, NC, 27710; or to the Philoptohos Society of St. Nicholas, 608 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28403 Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com Andrews Market Street Chapel.
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