Obituary of Vasilia Marguerite Payne

Vasilia Stavrides Payne Vasilia Stavrides Payne, 90, died at her home in Fairfax, Va., on May 14, 2013. Mrs. Payne was born on January 1,1923, in Athens, Greece. A few months before, her family had fled Smyrna, Turkey, during the Greco-Turkish war. As a three-year-old, she traveled by ship with her mother, Christina Stavrides, to Montreal, Canada. There they were reunited with her father, Michael Stavrides, who had left earlier to establish a home for the family. Mrs. Payne grew up in Montreal, attending the Socrates Anglo-Greek School, which her father had founded. She graduated from Macdonald College with a degree in teaching in 1941. She met her husband, Torrence P.B. Payne, M.D., in Montreal, and the couple married on September 29, 1946. They moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where Dr. Payne completed his residency at Johns Hopkins. While there, Mrs. Payne taught school in the public school system, specializing in teaching children with behavioral issues. She used innovative and creative methods to engage the troubled youngsters and excite them about learning. She found great success in this endeavor, and it was a source of pride throughout her life. Mrs. Payne and her husband eventually settled in Newburgh, New York, where Dr. Payne practiced medicine at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh, N.Y., and Highland Hospital in Beacon, N.Y. She became increasingly active in the American Medical Association Auxiliary, rising through the ranks to become county president, New York State president, and ultimately national president in 1982. As national president, Mrs. Payne traveled to nearly every state in the country, promoting the importance of volunteerism. She was also active with the Red Cross, the Junior League, and other civic organizations. As a young woman, Mrs. Payne was devoted to dance and performed while in college. Her love of the arts continued throughout her life. She was also a master bridge player and won many competitions throughout the years. Other interests included gardening, cooking, traveling, and entertaining. Mrs. Payne and her husband relocated to Marco Island, Florida, upon his retirement from medicine in 1987. There, the couple enjoyed 22 happy years. In 2009, they moved to Northern Virginia to be closer to family. The couple celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2012. Her husband died in November 2012. She is survived by three children: Michael Payne of Gainesville, Florida, Barbara Payne of Paris, Virginia, and Maria Payne Rasmussen of Richmond, Virginia; five grandchildren: Christina of Washington, D.C., Michelle of Crestview, Florida, Eleni of Washington, D.C., and Elizabeth and Alexandra of Richmond, Virginia; and a great-granddaughter, Kathryn of Crestview, Florida.