Dyan Artemis Althea Aretakis, March 11, 1956 – December 9, 2018. Dyan Aretakis, 63, died in peace and with grace on December 9, 2018 in her home in Crozet, Virginia, surrounded by her children and husband after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma. She was born in Evanston, Illinois, the second of three children of George and Eugenia Aretakis. Both parents were the children of immigrants from Greece. She was raised, along with her two brothers, in Stamford, Connecticut, where she graduated high school. She earned a BS in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in 1978. She moved to Charlottesville, Virginia soon afterward and earned a Master of Science degree in Pediatrics from the University of Virginia in 1983.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Dyan helped found the Teen Health Center in 1991 to address the reproductive health needs of teenagers in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. One of the main focuses of the Center as originally set up was to provide easy, affordable access to contraception and to provide comprehensive obstetric care to the teenagers who are pregnant. Dyan, as Project Director for 27 years, oversaw the Teen Health Center as it grew into its current form as a comprehensive UVa Teen & Young Adult Health Center. She was renowned as one of the leaders in promoting the health and well-being of teens and young adults in our region and our state. Dyan was well-published on the subject of teen pregnancy and received a number of awards for her work on the local, state, and national level. In addition, she served as a mentor to dozens of students.
Dyan’s service and influence in the Charlottesville community spread far. Some highlights of her devotion and service to the community include Member and Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and President of the Virginias/Carolinas Chapter, appointed member of the Albemarle County School Health Advisory Board, member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, selected member of the UVa School of Medicine Academic Strategic Planning Project, board member of the Child Health Improvement Program, Commission on Children and Families, Youth Development Network, Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Workgroup of the Commission on Children and Families, Virginia Alliance for Adolescents and School Health of the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond, VA, Chair of the School Health Advisory Board for Charlottesville City Schools, Regional Perinatal Coordinating Council in Charlottesville, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee of the March of Dimes, Co-Chair, Planning District Ten, and Nurse Practitioner in Family Planning and Pediatrics for the Thomas Jefferson District Health Department.
The truest tribute to her work are her patients and families. Through her efforts, the teen pregnancy rate in Charlottesville and the surrounding area has dropped dramatically. The families and patients trusted her and cherished their relationship with her and the health care she provided. An example of one of the many long-term relationships she had with her patients is provided by Nikuyah Walker, the current mayor of Charlottesville. Mayor Walker wrote, “I walked into Dyan’s office as a scared, pregnant 15-year-old and she shared her love with me immediately. I stayed in her care until I aged out of the Teen Health Center. When I needed help making sure my girls were safe and healthy teenagers, Dyan shared her love with them. I really appreciate your family sharing her with us and so many other families in this community. She is amazing. I’m so thankful for her.”
Dyan's Greek heritage, including her faith based in Orthodox Christianity, played a central role in her life. Her husband was recently chrismated into the Orthodox Church. Dyan served for many years as a member of the Metamorphosis Soteros Greek Orthodox Church in Charlottesville as an elected member and Director of Communications for the Parish Council.
Dyan is survived by her husband of 26 years, Stuart Berr, whom she met on a blind date set up Dotty and Brent Williams for an outing of Shakespeare in Lexington, VA, in 1988; her daughters, Alexandra Lauran (25), Lydia Jayne (17), and Zoe Anne Berr (17); her brother Gregory Aretakis of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his wife, Mary, and daughters, Kaitlin and Olivia Jean; her brother Jonathan Aretakis of Pembroke, Maine, his wife Ann Cannizzaro, and children, Emmanuel, Lucia (her goddaughter), and Evyenia; many cousins, uncles, and aunts from around the world, and her father-in-law Richard “Dick” Berr of Crozet, VA.
There are many people to thank for helping to care for Dyan during her year of declining health. Principal among those were her BFFs Dotty Williams (Saline, MI), Sally Ford (Washington, DC), Bonnie Riedesel (Batesville, VA), and Martha Barnett (Durham, NC). In addition, she and her family greatly appreciate all the meals that were brought to their home over the past year.
Dyan loved us all intensely. With compassion and cheer, Dyan looked beyond herself, helping others throughout her life, and forming enduring friendships. To her dear friends from all walks of life, especially those from her longtime home in Batesville, Virginia—she loves and thanks you all for sharing her journey in this life.
Services will be held for her at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Dr, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. A wake will be held at the Orthodox Church Friday December 14th from 6:00-8:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00. The funeral will be held at the church Saturday December 15th at 11:00, with interment to follow at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory and honor of Dyan Aretakis for the UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center. Checks should be made payable to UVA Children's Hospital and sent to: UVA Health Foundation, PO Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Dyan helped found the Teen Health Center in 1991 to address the reproductive health needs of teenagers in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. One of the main focuses of the Center as originally set up was to provide easy, affordable access to contraception and to provide comprehensive obstetric care to the teenagers who are pregnant. Dyan, as Project Director for 27 years, oversaw the Teen Health Center as it grew into its current form as a comprehensive UVa Teen & Young Adult Health Center. She was renowned as one of the leaders in promoting the health and well-being of teens and young adults in our region and our state. Dyan was well-published on the subject of teen pregnancy and received a number of awards for her work on the local, state, and national level. In addition, she served as a mentor to dozens of students.
Dyan’s service and influence in the Charlottesville community spread far. Some highlights of her devotion and service to the community include Member and Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and President of the Virginias/Carolinas Chapter, appointed member of the Albemarle County School Health Advisory Board, member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, selected member of the UVa School of Medicine Academic Strategic Planning Project, board member of the Child Health Improvement Program, Commission on Children and Families, Youth Development Network, Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Workgroup of the Commission on Children and Families, Virginia Alliance for Adolescents and School Health of the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond, VA, Chair of the School Health Advisory Board for Charlottesville City Schools, Regional Perinatal Coordinating Council in Charlottesville, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee of the March of Dimes, Co-Chair, Planning District Ten, and Nurse Practitioner in Family Planning and Pediatrics for the Thomas Jefferson District Health Department.
The truest tribute to her work are her patients and families. Through her efforts, the teen pregnancy rate in Charlottesville and the surrounding area has dropped dramatically. The families and patients trusted her and cherished their relationship with her and the health care she provided. An example of one of the many long-term relationships she had with her patients is provided by Nikuyah Walker, the current mayor of Charlottesville. Mayor Walker wrote, “I walked into Dyan’s office as a scared, pregnant 15-year-old and she shared her love with me immediately. I stayed in her care until I aged out of the Teen Health Center. When I needed help making sure my girls were safe and healthy teenagers, Dyan shared her love with them. I really appreciate your family sharing her with us and so many other families in this community. She is amazing. I’m so thankful for her.”
Dyan's Greek heritage, including her faith based in Orthodox Christianity, played a central role in her life. Her husband was recently chrismated into the Orthodox Church. Dyan served for many years as a member of the Metamorphosis Soteros Greek Orthodox Church in Charlottesville as an elected member and Director of Communications for the Parish Council.
Dyan is survived by her husband of 26 years, Stuart Berr, whom she met on a blind date set up Dotty and Brent Williams for an outing of Shakespeare in Lexington, VA, in 1988; her daughters, Alexandra Lauran (25), Lydia Jayne (17), and Zoe Anne Berr (17); her brother Gregory Aretakis of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his wife, Mary, and daughters, Kaitlin and Olivia Jean; her brother Jonathan Aretakis of Pembroke, Maine, his wife Ann Cannizzaro, and children, Emmanuel, Lucia (her goddaughter), and Evyenia; many cousins, uncles, and aunts from around the world, and her father-in-law Richard “Dick” Berr of Crozet, VA.
There are many people to thank for helping to care for Dyan during her year of declining health. Principal among those were her BFFs Dotty Williams (Saline, MI), Sally Ford (Washington, DC), Bonnie Riedesel (Batesville, VA), and Martha Barnett (Durham, NC). In addition, she and her family greatly appreciate all the meals that were brought to their home over the past year.
Dyan loved us all intensely. With compassion and cheer, Dyan looked beyond herself, helping others throughout her life, and forming enduring friendships. To her dear friends from all walks of life, especially those from her longtime home in Batesville, Virginia—she loves and thanks you all for sharing her journey in this life.
Services will be held for her at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Dr, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. A wake will be held at the Orthodox Church Friday December 14th from 6:00-8:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00. The funeral will be held at the church Saturday December 15th at 11:00, with interment to follow at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory and honor of Dyan Aretakis for the UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center. Checks should be made payable to UVA Children's Hospital and sent to: UVA Health Foundation, PO Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
Dyan Artemis Althea Aretakis, March 11, 1956 – December 9, 2018. Dyan Aretakis, 63, died in peace and with grace on December 9, 2018 in her home in Crozet, Virginia, surrounded by her children and husband after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma. She was born in Evanston, Illinois, the second of three children of George and Eugenia Aretakis. Both parents were the children of immigrants from Greece. She was raised, along with her two brothers, in Stamford, Connecticut, where she graduated high school. She earned a BS in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in 1978. She moved to Charlottesville, Virginia soon afterward and earned a Master of Science degree in Pediatrics from the University of Virginia in 1983.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Dyan helped found the Teen Health Center in 1991 to address the reproductive health needs of teenagers in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. One of the main focuses of the Center as originally set up was to provide easy, affordable access to contraception and to provide comprehensive obstetric care to the teenagers who are pregnant. Dyan, as Project Director for 27 years, oversaw the Teen Health Center as it grew into its current form as a comprehensive UVa Teen & Young Adult Health Center. She was renowned as one of the leaders in promoting the health and well-being of teens and young adults in our region and our state. Dyan was well-published on the subject of teen pregnancy and received a number of awards for her work on the local, state, and national level. In addition, she served as a mentor to dozens of students.
Dyan’s service and influence in the Charlottesville community spread far. Some highlights of her devotion and service to the community include Member and Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and President of the Virginias/Carolinas Chapter, appointed member of the Albemarle County School Health Advisory Board, member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, selected member of the UVa School of Medicine Academic Strategic Planning Project, board member of the Child Health Improvement Program, Commission on Children and Families, Youth Development Network, Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Workgroup of the Commission on Children and Families, Virginia Alliance for Adolescents and School Health of the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond, VA, Chair of the School Health Advisory Board for Charlottesville City Schools, Regional Perinatal Coordinating Council in Charlottesville, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee of the March of Dimes, Co-Chair, Planning District Ten, and Nurse Practitioner in Family Planning and Pediatrics for the Thomas Jefferson District Health Department.
The truest tribute to her work are her patients and families. Through her efforts, the teen pregnancy rate in Charlottesville and the surrounding area has dropped dramatically. The families and patients trusted her and cherished their relationship with her and the health care she provided. An example of one of the many long-term relationships she had with her patients is provided by Nikuyah Walker, the current mayor of Charlottesville. Mayor Walker wrote, “I walked into Dyan’s office as a scared, pregnant 15-year-old and she shared her love with me immediately. I stayed in her care until I aged out of the Teen Health Center. When I needed help making sure my girls were safe and healthy teenagers, Dyan shared her love with them. I really appreciate your family sharing her with us and so many other families in this community. She is amazing. I’m so thankful for her.”
Dyan's Greek heritage, including her faith based in Orthodox Christianity, played a central role in her life. Her husband was recently chrismated into the Orthodox Church. Dyan served for many years as a member of the Metamorphosis Soteros Greek Orthodox Church in Charlottesville as an elected member and Director of Communications for the Parish Council.
Dyan is survived by her husband of 26 years, Stuart Berr, whom she met on a blind date set up Dotty and Brent Williams for an outing of Shakespeare in Lexington, VA, in 1988; her daughters, Alexandra Lauran (25), Lydia Jayne (17), and Zoe Anne Berr (17); her brother Gregory Aretakis of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his wife, Mary, and daughters, Kaitlin and Olivia Jean; her brother Jonathan Aretakis of Pembroke, Maine, his wife Ann Cannizzaro, and children, Emmanuel, Lucia (her goddaughter), and Evyenia; many cousins, uncles, and aunts from around the world, and her father-in-law Richard “Dick” Berr of Crozet, VA.
There are many people to thank for helping to care for Dyan during her year of declining health. Principal among those were her BFFs Dotty Williams (Saline, MI), Sally Ford (Washington, DC), Bonnie Riedesel (Batesville, VA), and Martha Barnett (Durham, NC). In addition, she and her family greatly appreciate all the meals that were brought to their home over the past year.
Dyan loved us all intensely. With compassion and cheer, Dyan looked beyond herself, helping others throughout her life, and forming enduring friendships. To her dear friends from all walks of life, especially those from her longtime home in Batesville, Virginia—she loves and thanks you all for sharing her journey in this life.
Services will be held for her at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Dr, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. A wake will be held at the Orthodox Church Friday December 14th from 6:00-8:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00. The funeral will be held at the church Saturday December 15th at 11:00, with interment to follow at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory and honor of Dyan Aretakis for the UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center. Checks should be made payable to UVA Children's Hospital and sent to: UVA Health Foundation, PO Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Dyan helped found the Teen Health Center in 1991 to address the reproductive health needs of teenagers in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. One of the main focuses of the Center as originally set up was to provide easy, affordable access to contraception and to provide comprehensive obstetric care to the teenagers who are pregnant. Dyan, as Project Director for 27 years, oversaw the Teen Health Center as it grew into its current form as a comprehensive UVa Teen & Young Adult Health Center. She was renowned as one of the leaders in promoting the health and well-being of teens and young adults in our region and our state. Dyan was well-published on the subject of teen pregnancy and received a number of awards for her work on the local, state, and national level. In addition, she served as a mentor to dozens of students.
Dyan’s service and influence in the Charlottesville community spread far. Some highlights of her devotion and service to the community include Member and Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and President of the Virginias/Carolinas Chapter, appointed member of the Albemarle County School Health Advisory Board, member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners, selected member of the UVa School of Medicine Academic Strategic Planning Project, board member of the Child Health Improvement Program, Commission on Children and Families, Youth Development Network, Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Workgroup of the Commission on Children and Families, Virginia Alliance for Adolescents and School Health of the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond, VA, Chair of the School Health Advisory Board for Charlottesville City Schools, Regional Perinatal Coordinating Council in Charlottesville, Health Policy and Advocacy Committee of the March of Dimes, Co-Chair, Planning District Ten, and Nurse Practitioner in Family Planning and Pediatrics for the Thomas Jefferson District Health Department.
The truest tribute to her work are her patients and families. Through her efforts, the teen pregnancy rate in Charlottesville and the surrounding area has dropped dramatically. The families and patients trusted her and cherished their relationship with her and the health care she provided. An example of one of the many long-term relationships she had with her patients is provided by Nikuyah Walker, the current mayor of Charlottesville. Mayor Walker wrote, “I walked into Dyan’s office as a scared, pregnant 15-year-old and she shared her love with me immediately. I stayed in her care until I aged out of the Teen Health Center. When I needed help making sure my girls were safe and healthy teenagers, Dyan shared her love with them. I really appreciate your family sharing her with us and so many other families in this community. She is amazing. I’m so thankful for her.”
Dyan's Greek heritage, including her faith based in Orthodox Christianity, played a central role in her life. Her husband was recently chrismated into the Orthodox Church. Dyan served for many years as a member of the Metamorphosis Soteros Greek Orthodox Church in Charlottesville as an elected member and Director of Communications for the Parish Council.
Dyan is survived by her husband of 26 years, Stuart Berr, whom she met on a blind date set up Dotty and Brent Williams for an outing of Shakespeare in Lexington, VA, in 1988; her daughters, Alexandra Lauran (25), Lydia Jayne (17), and Zoe Anne Berr (17); her brother Gregory Aretakis of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his wife, Mary, and daughters, Kaitlin and Olivia Jean; her brother Jonathan Aretakis of Pembroke, Maine, his wife Ann Cannizzaro, and children, Emmanuel, Lucia (her goddaughter), and Evyenia; many cousins, uncles, and aunts from around the world, and her father-in-law Richard “Dick” Berr of Crozet, VA.
There are many people to thank for helping to care for Dyan during her year of declining health. Principal among those were her BFFs Dotty Williams (Saline, MI), Sally Ford (Washington, DC), Bonnie Riedesel (Batesville, VA), and Martha Barnett (Durham, NC). In addition, she and her family greatly appreciate all the meals that were brought to their home over the past year.
Dyan loved us all intensely. With compassion and cheer, Dyan looked beyond herself, helping others throughout her life, and forming enduring friendships. To her dear friends from all walks of life, especially those from her longtime home in Batesville, Virginia—she loves and thanks you all for sharing her journey in this life.
Services will be held for her at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Dr, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. A wake will be held at the Orthodox Church Friday December 14th from 6:00-8:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00. The funeral will be held at the church Saturday December 15th at 11:00, with interment to follow at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory and honor of Dyan Aretakis for the UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center. Checks should be made payable to UVA Children's Hospital and sent to: UVA Health Foundation, PO Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
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