Koula Svokos Hartnett, 82, of Morgantown, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 at Mon Health Medical Center. She was born Oct. 25, 1938, in Uniontown, Pa., a daughter of the late Charles and Thelma Svokos
She is survived by her spouse, Richard; son, Christopher, of New York City; brother, George Svokos; sister-in-law, Pat Svokos; niece, Heather Svokos; nephew, John Svokos, of Uniontown, Pa.; and first cousins, Betty, George and Stephen Frangos.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Marc, who died in 2017.
She attended Westminster College in Pennsylvania in 1958, and she received a B.A. in English in 1962, an M.A. in English in 1968 and a Doctorate in higher education studies from WVU in 1979. She taught English at Anne Arundel College in Maryland from 1969-70, was a public relations director and English instructor at Kirkland Hall College from 1970-72 in Easton, Md., taught English at WVU from 1980-90 and was the author of “Zelda Fitzgerald and the Failure of the American Dream for Women,” published by Peter Lang in 1991.
Koula had a rare gift for knowing how to feature people and capture their distinctive qualities, and her joie de vivre was on full display at the many parties she hosted, typically without much advance notice from her husband. She delighted in celebrating the achievements of others while underplaying her own accomplishments, which were equally noteworthy. Mademoiselle Magazine awarded her a prize for her artwork while she was still in high school. At Kirkland Hall College, she organized a fundraiser in collaboration with the syndicated reporter and board member, Jack Anderson, that stabilized the private two-year institution’s financial situation and generated concomitant interest in its mission as a “college of ecology.” In the classroom, she strove indefatigably to improve the writing skills of her students, who held her in great esteem for her lively and engaging teaching style.
When she moved back to Morgantown to complete her doctorate, Koula joined the WVU writing lab while teaching introductory courses in writing and literature. She hosted a “return-of-the-native” reception for Chuck Kinder, the first graduate of the department’s creative writing program, and renowned author of such novels as “The Honeymooners,” “The Silver Ghost” and was the subject of the novel “Wonder Boys,” portrayed in the movie by Michael Douglas. She also hosted Harvard’s Harry Levin, the renowned James Joyce scholar.
Koula’s love for her sons was boundless. She delighted in cultivating Marc’s pursuits in music, art and photography and was overjoyed with his academic success at Los Angeles College. When he returned to West Virginia, they collaborated on the scenery and musical background for her play on Zelda Fitzgerald.
A devoted “backstage” mother, she made sure her younger son, Chris, spent Saturday mornings at the Creative Arts Center to develop his artistic and musical interests. She justifiably credited this for his admission to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts film and television program and the launching of his film, “Nothing Without You.”
Koula’s study of Zelda Fitzgerald was heralded by Elizabeth Hardwick, editor of the New York Review of Books, as a poignant study of the flamboyant flapper and wife of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Zelda’s “Save Me the Waltz” dramatizes the life of a talented but doomed glamour girl of the affluent 1920s. Interviews with friends and relatives of the Fitzgeralds (including their only child, Scottie), as well as with Zelda’s last psychiatrist, illuminate this tragedy and suggest how the untimely demise of both Fitzgeralds might have been prevented. Koula anticipated publishing a second edition of the book.
Koula was justly proud of her Greek heritage, and each time she visited Chios, the birthplace of her parents and the immortal Homer, she reveled in its majestic scenery and incomparable heritage. She was the embodiment of the Greek term of praise for a splendid soul: kalós kagathós, a beautiful and virtuous person, and to her husband, Il miglior fabbro — an endlessly flowing fountain of love and sweetness.
Visitation with the family will be held at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 447 Spruce St., Morgantown from 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Father David Shaw officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Uniontown, Pa.
Although guests are invited to come visit, it is required, per the Governor and CDC pandemic guidelines, that all guests wear face masks and practice social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the Greek Assumption Church 447 Spruce St., Morgantown WV 26505 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
