Meghan A. Milonopoulos

HOLDEN - Meghan Milonopoulos, 41, of Holden, was taken from us too soon on July 22, 2023, after a brave and tenacious battle with cancer.

Meghan is survived by her husband, Taso; their three children, McKenna, 9, Mia, 5, and Mathaios, 2; her mother, MaryEllen McGrain Para; her brother, Sean Cronin; her sister, Rachel King and her husband Samuel; her nieces, Gwendolyn and Josephine King; her grandmother, Marie McGrain; her mother and father-in-law, Dina and John Karanasios; her sister-in-law, Tanya Voulgaridis and her husband Christo; her brother-in-law, Stelios Karanasios and his fiance Ashley Leblanc; her step-siblings, Bridgette Yanez, Daniel Para, Eric Para, and Shane Para; her cousin, Leana Wilder and her partner Heath Squires; her godchildren, Alex, Victoria, and Audrey Squires; and many others in her extended family. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Gerald McGrain.

Meghan was born in Worcester at Memorial Hospital on March 31, 1982. She spent much of her youth living in Southbridge, where she excelled in school and pursued her love of field hockey and tennis, in which she continued to compete through the college level. Meghan graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 2000 and Lynchburg College in 2004 with a B.A. in Marketing. After a term working as an Instructional Assistant and then as a Special Ed Teacher, Meghan found she enjoyed working with high school students and accepted a full-time teaching position at North High. She went on to earn a Master's Degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State, and later another Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Worcester State. Meghan spent seventeen years at North High, where she was twice named Teacher of the Year, served as Special Education Department Head, and became Assistant Principal at the age of 35. Her genuine kindness, strength, and courage inspired many.

Meghan's love for her family was boundless, and she took pride that her children had the perfect blend of her and Taso's strengths. She lives on through her children; McKenna has her mother's independent spirit, Mia has her mother's compassion, and Mathaios has his mother's laugh. Meghan encouraged her children to pursue their passions, whether it was softball, gymnastics, or dancing to "Baby Shark." She loved taking her family to Cape Cod, sharing the same joys from her childhood of long days spent on the beach, racing go-karts, and ending the day with ice cream from Sundae School.

When Meghan was first diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, the raw wave of anger, fear, and grief that hit her was quickly surpassed by the desire to fight for what was most valuable-more time. Meghan sought every possible resource and treatment, taking her fight head-on. Meghan was a private person, but as news of her diagnosis spread, the overwhelming support of friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and complete strangers gave her the strength and resolve to take her battle public. This outpouring of love and generosity touched Meghan deeply, and her family wishes to share their gratitude with the entire community. They extend a special thank you to John and Maribeth DiPietro, Meghan O'Connor, her North High family, and the team of doctors and nurses who supported Meghan through her fight. Her family will take up her mantle and continue the fight to cure cancer in her memory. OXOX Meg.

A wake for Meghan will be held at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden on Thursday, July 27th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be at Holden Chapel, 279 Reservoir Street, on Friday, July 28th at 10:00 am. Following the funeral services, all who wish to honor her memory are welcome to join in a Celebration of Life at Seven Saws Brewery in Holden at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Milonopoulos' Children's Education Fund, https://gofund.me/fd134210 or the fund that supported bringing care closer to home for Meghan, https://because.massgeneral.org/Sharlastrong . To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.