Erietta Deligiannides Baxter

Erietta Deligiannides Baxter was born in Katerini, Greece, in May of 1955. She came to the United States with her family in 1963. In the United States, she grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, with her parents, George and Agapi Deligiannides, her sister Julie, her grandparents, Angelos and Eleni Frangoulidis, her aunt Pinelopi Frangoulidis, and her uncles Harry and Dimitrios Frangoulidis. She attended high school in Newton, Massachusetts. Erietta was fond of most sports, especially tennis. Thoroughout her life, Erietta loved classical music and enjoyed singing in choral groups.

Erietta received her undergraduate degree at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she majored in Molecular Biology. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Her general dentistry practice included patients from all over the United States and a few patients in Europe. She quickly established a reputation for thoroughness and perfection while putting her patients at ease. In addition to her dental practice, she taught at the dental schools at Harvard and Tufts.

One of Erietta's most cherished patients was her husband, Robert Baxter. Their first date involved a hike up Mount Osceola, a 4,300-foot peak in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And when Robert proposed marriage, the couple hiked up Mount Osceola again. At the top Robert asked Erietta to climb life's mountains with him, and she did so for the final 20 years of her life.

The last 12 years of Erietta's life were tainted by significant physical pain. In 2000, she was hit from behind in an automobile accident during which she hyperextended her neck and damaged her spinal cord. Unfortunately, surgical repair of her cervical spine left her with chronic neck pain and dizziness as well as a numb right hand. Consequently, she had to end her dental practice.

Undaunted, Erietta became a health advocate and financial manager for her parents and her extended family. She began to develop her skills in refinishing furniture and decorating. Erietta served as the general contractor for the gutting and renovation of her parents' home. With a little help from Robert, Erietta completely redesigned their own house and oversaw the rebuilding process. Unfortunately, Erietta was never able to experience life in their rebuilt house.

In September of 2011 Erietta developed a cough and began experiencing labored breathing. In early October of 2011, Erietta was diagnosed with lung cancer and a few days later she learned that it had spread to her brain. A targeted cancer drug essentially eliminated her breathing problems and seemed to control the growth of the brain metastases. However, in January of 2012 Erietta's brain scan revealed that the cancer was beginning to invade and inflame the thin membranes that contain the cerebrospinal fluid, and she soon developed severe headaches as a result. Her headaches were eventually managed for a while with medication. In late April of 2012 an anticoagulant medication caused a massive hemorrhage in her leg that left her in need of physical therapy to regain the ability to walk. Her health began to decline rapidly after the massive hemorrhage in her leg. On September 4th of 2012, Erietta had a seizure from which she never regained consciousness. And in the afternoon of September 5th, Erietta took her last breath.

Throughout her life, Erietta embraced life with unparalleled enthusiasm. She thoroughly enjoyed asking everyone she met about their lives, their relatives, their interests, and their dreams. She affirmed the goodness and beauty in the people she met, and she was well known for her extreme graciousness and generosity.

Even throughout her illness, Erietta seldom failed to make her visitors smile and feel good about themselves. Even though she had compromised brain function during the final months of her life, her core personality always managed to shine through. When times were the toughest, and she was too tired or unable to speak, Erietta would manage to hum her favorite hymns. She was an ardent believer in Christ as her savior and always sought to honor and give glory to God.

Erietta asked many of her relatives and friends not to forget her, not realizing how truly unforgettable she was and how the impression she left on those that knew her will never die.

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