Angeline Columbis Harkness

Angeline (Columbis) Harkness, 76, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023 after a short battle with Stage 4 lung and bone cancer. Her passing was just 49 days after her daughter Stephanie’s passing, also to cancer. “Kiki”, as she was affectionately known (from the Greek version of her name Angeliki), was born in Birmingham, AL on March 28, 1947, to Petros and Pearl Columbis. She was the first of their six daughters. She grew up in West End where she met her husband, Jimmy Harkness. Together they had two daughters, Gaythan Renee and Stephanie Marie. She was a beloved mother who devoted her life to her children and grandchildren. Whatever she had was given to them freely. Her children and grandchildren were her purpose in life. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the ones she loved. She spent the last year and a half of her life caring for her terminally ill daughter Stephanie. She was a beautiful human and the most wonderful mother anyone could ever hope to have. She embodied all aspects of pure, unconditional love. She was a strong and determined woman. In 2020 when she was diagnosed with Laryngeal cancer (which she beat!) she gave up smoking after 60+ years. She was always proud of that accomplishment. Later in life she was also able to overcome her lifelong fear of cats. After moving in with her daughter Gaythan and son-in-law Simon, Kiki learned to live with and love (8) cats. She was always very kind and caring to all animals. She donated monthly to various animal rights and animal welfare organizations. To say Kiki was one of a kind would be an understatement. She was truly an original. She was always sassy and never held back what she thought about any situation or anyone. You could always count on her to give her honest opinion even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Sugarcoating was not a part of her personality (as anyone who knows her can attest). She loved going out to eat at different restaurants and critiquing the food, ambiance, and staff. She had worked in the food industry, as she always reminded us, and knew exactly how guests of a restaurant should be taken care of. She was an amazing cook! Her specialty was Greek food and pastries. Her delicious spanakopita will be missed. In her downtime she loved to watch her TV shows and relax with something sweet and a coke. When she found out that she had terminal cancer and not much time left to live one of the first things she said was “I won’t get to see what will happen in Yellowstone and 1883.” She was disappointed about that. She also loved the shows on TLC and would talk about the reality stars as if she knew them personally. Kiki is preceded in death by her daughter Stephanie, husband Jimmy, parents Petros and Pearl, aunt Mary Belle Balabanos, sisters Joanne Johnson and Mary Helen Stone. She is survived by her daughter Gaythan Renee von Mallinckrodt, son in law Simon von Mallinckrodt; grandchildren (from daughter Stephanie) Caleb Plaisted, Sophia Pittman, and Stella Patterson; her sisters Matina Conner, Denise Watkins and Niki Patton; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and her loving friend of 55+ years, Marilyn Lowery. Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Holy-Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Birmingham. Viewing is at 11:00am, service is at 11:30am. Followed by the cemetery service at the National Cemetery in Montevallo at 1:15pm. The world is empty without you But I can feel and it is true That a heart that is filled with love Will cross the desert like a dove Finding you wherever you are Keep shining bright eternal star. - by Simon

Angeline Columbis Harkness

March 28, 1947 - March 30, 2023