Callie Tsapis

The Honorable Judge Callie Tsapis, 80, of Weirton passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2003. She was born April 26, 1923 in Weirton, the daughter of Greek immigrants, Louis S. and Stella Mastromichalis Tsapis. Her sister, Mary Tsapis Karoftis and brother Stanley Tsapis also preceded her. She was admired and respected by family and the community because of her generosity, kindness and gentle spirit. Judge Tsapis was one of the few women to have graduated from the West Virginia College of Law when she received her degree in 1948. As an undergraduate at West Virginia University, she was selected as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and she was a member of the Law Quarterly Staff while in law school. Judge Tsapis practiced law in Hancock County from 1948 until 1971 and was Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Hancock County (1952-1955). After serving four terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Hancock County, she was elected to the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas in 1970. She was the first woman trial judge elected in the State of West Virginia in 1972 and served as Judge of the first Judicial Circuit for 20 years until her retirement in 1992. Miss Tsapis received the Outstanding Alumnus of the West Virginia College of Law Award for 1977 from the West Virginia College of Law Student Bar Association. She received one of ten “Barrier-Breaker” awards in 1981 at the Second Annual Governor’s Conference during the International Year for Women. She was named West Virginia Daughter of the Year by the West Virginia Society of Washington, DC in 1983. Her distinguished career in law and unselfish community service brought Judge Tsapis many honors and membership on many boards. She is survived by her sisters Alexandra Frangos of Palm Harbor, FL and Irene Tsapis of Weirton; nephews and nieces, Kristen Tsapis, Leonard Tost, John Frangos, Joseph Tost, Kaile Tsapis, Adam Tsapis, Jodi Tsapis and eleven Godchildren. Judge Tsapis was best known for putting a human face of justice for the numerous litigants who appeared before her. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 15, 2003 from 1:00 to 3:00PM and 7:00 to 9:00PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton, WV. Additional visitation will be held from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM funeral services on Monday at the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Weirton. The Very Reverend Father Terry J. Linos will preside. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Weirton. Memorial donations can be sent to any of the following: Weirton Christian Center, 3012 Elm Street, Weirton, WV 26062 All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 3528 West Street, Weirton, WV 26062 Mary H. Weir Public Library, 3442 Main Street, Weirton, WV 26062 Share tributes with her family at www.grecohertnick.com. Funeral Home: Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV US 26062