Tula Tsalis lived a life dedicated to her family and the betterment of the world.  As a political organizer, educator, and community activist, Tula was deeply committed to social justice, peace, and environmental sustainability. As a native of Ikaria (born in Panayia), Tula came to the United States with her mother, Eftihia Tsalis, on the last boat from Athens as the Germans were invading Greece in 1941. Tula’s experience as an immigrant deeply shaped her outlook on life, feeding her commitment to democratic participation, community empowerment, and local sustainability.

Tula completed her undergraduate work in environmental studies at Ramapo College and pursued her graduate work in sociology at the City University of New York. Tula taught for many years at Ramapo College, and after attending the Earth Summit in Rio, Brazil in 1992, she continued to work as a civil society representative to the United Nations in New York City.  With her husband, Trent Schroyer, Tula helped form study abroad trips that focused on different aspects of sustainability for college students - first in the Greek Islands and later in India. Tula also created the "Ikarian Regeneration Project”’ on her beloved Ikaria in 2013.  She was also deeply involved in peace and justice efforts in Orange County, NY, living into her view that “the more connections, sharing, and action that can take place in a region, the greater the capacity building for democratic participation.”  Near the end of her life, Tula also offered workshops at the Warwick library on approaches to natural healing. 

Tula is survived by her husband Trent Schroyer, her children John Quast and Andrea Quast-Mortello, their spouses John Baugher and Linda Quast, her step-children Kilin Boardman-Schroyer and Amie Saulnier, her ten grandchildren, and her sisters Mary and Mina Tsalis.

Tula died in her home in Warwick, NY on Monday evening, July 31st in the care of her family.  Tula showed us all how to approach end-of-life with grace and beauty.  We are deeply grateful for her generosity of spirit and loving presence. A memorial will be held on Sept. 16th at 2:30 pm at the Warwick Conference Center at the Mulder Chapel.