Loukia (Sarando) Bitzas, 83, of Worcester, passed away Monday, February 20th as a result of a devastating fall. Her husband Rev. Thomas G. Bitzas died in 1955. She is survived by her daughter, Penelope E. Bitzas of Brookline, MA; and three sisters; Ariadne Kostarides of Worcester, widow of Theodore Kostarides; Elpida Milias and her husband Emmanuel of Shrewsbury and Minerva Davis and her husband G. Bradford Davis of Poughkeepsie, NY. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Pericles and Stephen Sarando.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Peter and Evangelin (Papson) Sarando and lived here most of her life. She received her undergraduate degree from Clark University, and her MED from Boston University. Her early teaching appointments were in elementary music both in Portland, ME and in Worcester. From 1959-1971 she was the music teacher at the old South High School and in 1971 was appointed to the position of Director of Music for the Worcester Public Schools until 1981. In 1981 she became the Director of Music and Art for the schools serving until 1990. As director she was instrumental in implementing a curriculum for the schools in music, developing the Arts Magnet Schools and Project Vital.
She served as Choir Director at several churches, including: St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, Holy Trinity in Portland, ME, and the First Congregational Church in Holden. Loukia belonged to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and served as its Recording Secretary, Conference Chairperson, and Assistant conference chair. She was president of the Worcester School Administrators, and also served as chairperson and secretary of the Worcester Directors-Coordinators Association and served on the Superintendant's Administration Advisory Council. Loukia was a past and present board member of Music Worcester and has been on the panel for the Young Artists Competition. She was a founding member of the Hellenic Arts Society where she has been both president and secretary. She was a member of the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Historical Museum, Opera Worcester, Worcester Preservation Society and Mechanics Hall. In 2003 she received the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston Ministry Award and in 2010 she was honored with the Administration in Music Education Visionary Award.
The funeral is Friday, February 24th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with her service at 10:00 am in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00 until 8:00 pm in the funeral home. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester, MA or Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606