Ariadni Philippidis

Ariadni (Alifandis) Philippidis was born on the Danube river outside Romania’s Iron Gates. A child of water, the first years of her life were spent on a barge on the river. She was part of a loving extended family of sailors and marine engineers who traversed the river between Turnu Severine and Constanza on the black Sea. That time came to an end with the onset of World War II when her father, a Greek citizen, was conscripted by the Germans. The war years were spent separated from her beloved father while she, her mother and younger sister awaited his return and the end of the war in Turnu Severine. With the end of the war, came the Russian occupation which saw her life once again in turmoil. She and her family, being considered Greek citizens, were hunted and persecuted with family turning against family. Ariadni lived her formative years, till the age of 15, in hiding from the Communists before being forced to flee to a refugee camp in Siros Greece. There Ariadni had to learn a new language and learn to survive on meager rations while living in squalor.

Ariadni was always a positive and resourceful young woman. In the camp, she secured better quarters for her family by approaching the camp commandant and offering to be his cook and housecleaner. At 18 she left the camp, traveling to Athens alone where she hoped to find work and eventually study architecture.

Her first job was as a salesperson in an art glass store where she met, what would be the love of her life, Elias.

Ariadni always had a dream to immigrate to America for the opportunities it afforded women and to improve the state of her family. To this end she encouraged her family to seek immigration to the new world. In 1955, the family secured a sponsor and were given the green light for immigration.

Fate had other plans for Ariadni. By the time the paperwork was approved, she had fallen in love with Elias. While her mother, father and sister immigrated to the United States she remained in Greece and married Elias. It would be 10 years before she would see her family again.

In those years she gave birth to her first child and built a life of love, comfort, and dreams for the future. In 1966 with one child and another on the way she, at last, immigrated to the USA to full fill her life’s dream.

For the next 50 years she worked hard, loved and protected her family fiercely; saw her daughters educated and fulfill their dreams and earn the love and respect of everyone she came in contact with.

Ariadni, was a woman with a pure and loving heart. A woman who loved unconditionally.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Elias, and will be missed immensely by her loving daughters, Aspasia and Evangelia, and everyone who met her.

Visitation for Ariadni will be held from 9:30am to 10:30, Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, followed by a funeral service beginning at 10:30am. A luncheon will follow at 11:30am at the church.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.