Effie Harriet Mihopoulos

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Northeastern Illinois University

Effie Mihopoulos Obituary

Mihopoulos, Effie (Efstathia) Harriet (born to Andrew and Koula Mihopoulos) February 15, 1952-January 14, 2010, Poet, publisher, writer, dance critic, theatre critic, anti-war activist, promoter of the arts. She is survived by her cousin Catherine Valsamoulis, and a non-blood relation Mary (Gitam) Burns, both of Chicago. She also has a cousin named Effie in Michigan and other relatives in Greece. Born in Chicago, she moved to Greece when she was nine or ten and returned around age 16. As a student at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, she became a protegee of the poet Ed Dorn and eventually her work (which included poetry, works of fiction and artwork) was published in over 200 small press magazines and anthologies. After receiving her M.A. in Literature from NEIU in 1974, she started her own dance magazine (Salome), along with her own publishing company (Ommation Press), in which she published over 40 books of poetry and fiction. One of those, Cornelius Eady's first book, won the 1985 Lamont Poetry Selection by the Academy of American Poets in New York. Her attendance at all types of events, including Art Openings, was a given – and she often attended as many as three or four performances in one day. She read copious amounts of poetry and fiction, as well dance biographies. Her judgment of a performance was really astute, as was evidenced by the fact that eventually she was nominated and accepted as a member of the Joseph Jefferson awards committee in Chicago. She served on that committee for several years before getting a full-time job at the Chicago Artist's Coalition. After a short stint there, she ended up working at the Chicago Sun-Times for three years. Ironically, her position there was not related to the arts, but was as an Assistant in the Real Estate Advertising Department. In the past, however, she had written freelance articles, interviews, reviews, etc. for various publications, including the Chicago Sun-Times. She had also written for the Chicago READER, Stagebill, This Month on Stage (New York), New City and the now defunct Letter eX (Chicago's Poetry Newsmagazine), among others. Her wish to promote other artists also led her to create programs, panel discussions, poetry readings and performance art. She started a poetry reading series which featured three people with the same first name, which she held at various venues throughout Chicago. Her performance art program "Babel" featured many people performing different art forms at the same time while the audience went from performer to performer. It was seen at several venues, including the Chicago Cultural Center. She received numerous grants, awards and fellowships for her programs and also attended conferences held by organizations to which she belonged, such as the Music Critics Association conference. She also occasionally taught creative writing through the Chicago Public Library and senior citizen sites, including nursing homes. Unbeknownst to many people, as a young woman she took dance classes in Dunham technique, modern dance, African dance, Flamenco dance and even some ethnic dance at the Asia Society in New York. She recognized Bill T. Jones' talent early on and spent some time staying with a friend in New York going to see the Ballet and other dance performances. Although she had traveled extensively in her youth, she eventually focused all her energy on the arts community in Chicago. In the last few years, she spent time doing interviews that were aired on the show she had at WZRD radio station at NEIU. She also spent the last ten years as Volunteer Coordinator of Theatre and Dance at the Bucktown Arts Fest, held every year in August. All of these activities brought her in contact with numerous individuals involved in the Arts and she had extensive contacts with whom she was friendly. Much of her work will be donated to the Newberry Library. For information on the two Memorials being planned the first weekend in March, please email [email protected] and RSVP after receiving the info. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Andrew Mihopolous Scholarship Fund at NEIU or to the Arts Organization of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Feb. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Effie Mihopoulos

14 Entries

Susan Silverman Boldrey

December 8, 2024

I met Effie at NEIU where we shared French Club experiences and Educational Philosophy classes with Dr. Dan Bock. Effie's zest, creativity and dedication to poetry and to people will always shine in my memories...as in those of everyone whose lives she touched. Merci, Effie, you'll shine forever...Merci!

Panos Bosnakis

January 12, 2022

Effie was a gifted and exceptional poet and artist , a very energetic curator and a person to be missed by the people who knew her ... I had the chance to meet her a couple of times in Chicago , she attended my lectures and graciously spent a lot of time with me to discuss and share important ideas and projects. I will miss Effie ...may her memory be eternal!

EL[ZABETH LEBLANC

August 23, 2010

CONDLENCES TO THE WORLD UPON YOUR DEATH,DEAR FFIE
LOVE SEE U SOON, LIZ LEBLANC

March 21, 2010

When did Effie die?
Linda Tsaros
[email protected]

Linda Tsaros

March 14, 2010

I went to school with Effie in Greece at the American Academy and we were friends ever since. I am very sad to hear that she has died. I was hoping to come to Chicago again to visit her again. Now I can not. I am Canadian of Greek decent, as Effie was. I sent a copy of her memorial notice to our mutual friend Maria. All three of us met at the American Academy and became close friends since then. My Condolences to my dear friend Effie and her family. my email is [email protected] . Please respond to me email and tell me what she died from and provide me a list of her books and her magazines. Greetings for now.

Kenneth von Heidecke

February 26, 2010

Effie was as gifted in her field as she was genuinely a kind-hearted human being. I will miss her so very much.

Mary C

February 25, 2010

Effie was a unique character who will never be duplicated. I'll never forget our wacky trip to the World Expo in Tennessee, on a shoestring.

Nan Haas Hawthorne

February 25, 2010

I knew Effie in college. I remember she used to wear headbands like an American Indian.. and I started to once. We once went to our philosophy professors office thus, and he said he thought he was about to be scalped. I went over to Effie's apartment often and was made over by her mother who fed me Greek food and crocheted a couple vests for me. Effie was wild then, by which I mean she was a creative and strong personality. We had a rocky relationship later on, but hell, that's almost the norm for me. I am sorry we did not stay in touch. When I contacted her recently looking for a mutual friend, I had my chance but bllew it. She would've welcome me with open arms, but I failed to follow up. I would have liked to know what her life became and I think she would have liked to know I wound up being a novelist. Just goes to show, life is short.. don't squander your friendships.

Nan Hawthorne, author of "An Involuntary King"

Ms Djalaal

February 25, 2010

I attended numerous cultural events with Effie and her mother that I would never had been able to attend otherwise.In addition she encouraged me to perform and choreograph, not only by words, but by hiring me, when she was able. Because of Effie I am now in the Dance Collection at the Newberry Library.She always had small gifts, such as copies of photos, earrings, or a find from the thrift shops. I will miss Effie and her acerbic wit and her unique world view.

February 23, 2010

Effie was a real friend and a great individual. She gave me the motivation to strive to do better than my best. I will always remember her and all of her contributions to the poetry world--not just in Chicago, but the world.

I will miss her.

Michael H. Brownstein

Michael Leonard

February 23, 2010

It was sad news to hear of Effie's passing. She will be missed in the Chicago Arts Community but especially by the poetry community here in Chicago. Effie had been a great help and consultant to The Poetry Committiee of the Chicago Public Library in the early years of providing poets for library branches. She will be missed.

Andrea C

February 23, 2010

What I remember most about Effie was a toughness and a robustness that invigorated you. In the few times I worked with Effie in a couple of poetry productions the one thing that was clear was she had a vision and she knew the way to get there. I envied that "gift" and even more deeply I miss her sharing it with me.

Jackie W.

February 23, 2010

Although I am already aware of Ms. Mihopoulus' passing, hearing of it again still makes me sad. I know Effie is and will be sorely missed among Chicago's poets and performers.

Mrs. Bartels

February 21, 2010

Effie's Life Celebration

(Hosted by Cathleen Schandelmeier),

will be held at NEIU in Recital Hall, 5500 N. St. Louis, Chicago, IL.
Friday, March 5, 2010 5-7 pm

Dr. Carla A. Knorowski from Northeastern Illlinois University

Cynthia Gallaher, award-winning poet with a poem for Effie.

The Trapdoor Theater will perform

Dina Stuart, Effie's protege, will recite a poem.

Josephine Lipuma, award-winning filmmaker has created a film special in Effie's honor.

WZRD The Wizards will honor one of their own!

Peter C. Bartels will sing and play trumpet

Ensemble Espanole with a dance performance.

Nicole Aimee Macaluso, poet, artist, and Effie's friend with a spiritual tribute

BREAK TO EAT! RSVP TO [email protected]

A BENEFIT FOR HAITI, HOSTED BY WZRD will follow from 7-9:30 in ALUMNI HALL at NEIU

A Poetry Tribute for Effie hosted by Cathleen Schandelmeier and Dina Stuart will be held on Saturday, March 6th from 1-3pm at the Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60610-9090

Poetry Line-up will be on a first-come first read basis!

COME CELEBRATE OUR EFFIE!