Constance (nee Pappas) Chardoul

After eight years living with Alzheimer’s disease, Constance (nee Pappas) Chardoul succumbed on April 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of her husband Paul and her daughters.

Connie was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan to Steve and Bessie Pappas on April 17, 1942, and the family moved to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin in 1954. There Connie attended public school and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee where she completed a degree in elementary education. She taught students in Wauwatosa before meeting the love of her life, Paul Chardoul, and marrying him in 1967. Connie and Paul lived in East Lansing while Paul completed his graduate work at MSU, and Connie continued her teaching. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1969, where Paul was an instructor of history and political science at Grand Rapids Junior/Community College. Connie raised their three daughters, then returned to her education at Michigan State University and received her Master’s degree in elementary education, while continuing working as an adored elementary teacher at Breton Downs in East Grand Rapids.

Connie was active at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church as a teacher in the Sunday School and serving as Superintendent for several years. She was also active in Philoptochos, the Greek Ladies Aide Society for the poor. She loved serving her community – especially the children – and never hesitated to apply her seemingly endless energy and talents to assist with whatever was needed.

After Paul’s retirement from teaching, he began a second career organizing and leading groups to countries all around the world. Connie was Paul’s true partner on these trips, keeping everything organized and making sure all went smoothly. They cherished these trips and the close group of fellow travelers who joined them repeatedly and became like family. Paul and Connie had many other special trips together to visit family and their annual winter roadtrip to Florida.

In her later years, Connie’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She never turned down an opportunity to spend time with them and to help her daughters raise their own families. Each grandchild adored her, and loved their special “Camp Yiayia” time when they had her all to themselves and she accommodated every whim and taught them so much. Connie is survived by her husband, Paul; her daughters, Stephanie Chardoul (William Axinn), Nicole Chardoul, Pauline Chardoul-Sutter (Eric); and all of the grandchildren: Zoë Ash, Evan Ash, Belzora Lovett, Stratos Chardoul-Sutter, Niko Chardoul-Sutter, Rhodes Chardoul-Sutter, Elena Axinn, and Lilly Axinn. She is also survived by her beloved brother, Peter (Evelyn) Pappas; and many dear nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews from across the family. We will all miss her dearly and never forget how bravely she sustained this terrible disease.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Drive NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503. Funeral services will be held at 11am on April 17, 2026, at the church, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

Please, no flowers. If you would like to donate in Connie’s memory, please consider Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, the Beacon Hill Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association or Faith Hospice.