Elaine Kasimatis | Kytherian Society of California

Eternal Be Her Memory...

Elaine Ann Kasimatis
May 25, 1952 - September 7, 2021

The Kytherian Society of California mourns the sudden loss of Elaine Kasimatis. Elaine first joined the KSOCA in 2016 when she attended the Panigyri Luncheon where her father, long time member Armandus Kasimatis, was among those being memorialized. She immediately befriended everyone and even discovered one of her past CSU Sacramento students was a member. Everyone joyfully welcomed her to the KSOCA and looked forward to seeing her at future events. She will be dearly missed by all. Eternal be her memory.

2016 Panigyi Luncheon - Elaine winnng a raffle prize!

Elaine Kasimatis was born in Bakersfield. She passed away unexpectedly at the age of 69.

In 1955, Elaine’s family moved from Bakersfield to Davis, where she grew-up and made her lifelong home.

From a young age, Elaine was passionate about mathematics. She persevered and overcame many challenges to earn a Ph.D. in pure mathematics as well as a M.A. in Mathematics Teaching along with elementary and secondary teaching credentials in both math and multiple subject. Her breadth of expertise in mathematics and education made her a unique mathematician. Elaine was a faculty member at CSU Sacramento for over 30 years, where she continued teaching until her passing.

Elaine dedicated her career to supporting future teachers of mathematics. She co-developed and revamped CSU Sacramento’s curriculum for remedial mathematics, created professional development programs for faculty teaching remedial mathematics, and co-developed a course to support undergraduate and graduate tutors and instructors.

She also played a major role in developing the first undergraduate mathematics degree program in California to integrate mathematics content with teacher preparation. Since the program’s inception in 2001, she carefully mentored and supervised over 40 student teachers. Elaine influenced mathematics education nationally and internationally as one of the three co-creators of the innovative “College Preparatory Mathematics: Change from Within” program, which was designated one of three Exemplary Mathematics Programs by the US Department of Education.

In 2021, the Mathematical Association of America awarded Elaine the Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics. Her thoughtful and careful work efforts have profoundly influenced not only her students, but also generations of mathematics teachers and students.

Elaine’s generous nature, endless energy, and positive outlook impacted anyone that knew her. She advocated for the unhoused community through her support for Davis Community Meals. She was also an active member of her church, which led her and her daughter to move to Eastern Province, Rwanda in 2008 to help establish a secondary school. Elaine had a great appreciation for immersing herself in new cultures and lived in Australia, Germany, and Rwanda. She enjoyed being outdoors, whether hiking in the mountains, playing on the beach, or digging in her yard.

Elaine was a loving sister and mother. She is survived by her daughter, Katja Kasimatis, and her brothers, David Kasimatis, Andrew Kasimatis and Paul Kasimatis.

A celebration of life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation. The service will be outdoors, masked, and socially-distanced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Elaine’s honor to Paul’s Place through Davis Community Meals, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the Pacific Crest Trail Association