Celia Seraphim

Entered into Eternal Life on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the age of 93. Cherished mother of Catherine (the late Dr. Dean) Spyres, Sophia (Vincent) Partipilo, and Theodore C. Seraphim. Treasured grandmother of Vincent Charles Partipilo. Special grandmother of Theodore Spyres, Angelica (Jesse) Tzimas, and special great-grandmother of Dean and George Spyres. Beloved sister of Magdalen (Dr. Andrew) Pandazi. Beloved aunt of the Honorable Judge Stephanie (Gregory) Rothstein, Andrea and Maria Pandazi. Further survived and fondly remembered by nieces, cousins and friends.Mrs. Seraphim is preceded in death by her parents, Sophia and Thomas Kopenitsi, brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Alice Kope, sister and brother-in-law, Georgia and Steve Gineris and brother, William Kopenitsi. Mrs. Seraphim was the former wife of the late Honorable Judge Christ T. Seraphim.Visitation at ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 9400 West Congress Street, Thursday, March 8, 10:00-11:00 AM. Funeral Service 11:00 AM, the Rev. Father James Dokos officiating. Private burial.Mrs. Seraphim was a devoted mother and exceptional mother-in-law, while also accomplishing a 40 year career as a civic leader. Local, state...[more]

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d national dignitaries and professionals recognized her true citizen awareness, thereby appointing or electing her to numerous noteworthy boards and organizations, all benefitting Wisconsin citizens. In addition, Mrs. Seraphim gave speeches to organizations encouraging women to take an active interest in government, voting, and volunteer service to their community. She was an avid reader, enjoying poetry, mysteries, and playing cards.Mrs. Seraphim's dedicated interest and generous participation is reflected in these highlighted endeavors. She was appointed to State, Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility (BAPR); State Bar Communications Committee, State, Bar Study Committee (BAPR); Board of Governor's State Bar; Wisconsin Citizen's Conference on Judicial Organization; Governor's Women's Initiatives; Governor's Conference on Home and Family; first planning committee for "Women to Women'; Commission On Aging; Park Commission, serving as one of only four women since its origin in 1907; Chairman and board member of the Citizenship Commission of Milwaukee County, developing Student Government Day Program, complete with scripted mock trials; and Historical Society Commission.She was elected President and active board member of : Woman's Court and Civic Conference (a group associated with 30 additional clubs); the Milwaukee Woman's Club of the Federation of Women's Clubs; the Inter-Group Council of Milwaukee County; President and charter member of Lawyer's Wives of Milwaukee, during which time she initiated and developed the annual Naturalization Program and the Law Day May 1, USA, to counter the Communist May Day celebration; Founded and organized the Waukesha Chapter of Lawyer's Wives; First woman elected by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church as a delegate to the Clergy-Laity Congress-23rd; Milwaukee Chairman of the Mother's March of Dimes.In addition, Mrs. Seraphim beautifully entertained often in the family residence, which included, sitting State governors, U.S. Senators, the then titled Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Churches of North and South America, and a sitting Vice President of the United States.Appreciation is extended to Brett Twente, M.D., who provided quality care to our mother for many years. The family also extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to St. John's On the Lake, Milwaukee, where our mother was a resident for the past year.In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.