Stavroula Sarantos' Obituary
Stavroula Bourtzos Sarantos
May 3, 1919 to May 9, 2016
Preceded in death by husband George "Pop" Sarantos. Survived by children Kathy, Soteria and Peter, their spouses, Terry, Steve and Kathy, six grandchildren (Tiffany, Japhie, Nicklas, Sydney, Christina, and Laura), two great grandchildren (Christopher and Ella Chase), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Stavroula was devoted to her family, her church and her Greek heritage. Her English was imperfect -- spoken with a strong Greek accent -- but everything else about her was perfect.
She appreciated the little things because she'd witnessed the ravages of war up close, including having to survive by eating 14-day old bread and suffering the pain of her father and brothers' deaths. She didn't give up though: instead she threw blankets in front of Nazi tanks to stop them and helped her aunt shelter escaping Jews in Athens. "Be strong and fight" became her motto and she spoke those words many times to her children, grandchildren and others she cared about.
After moving to America, she married the love of her life, George or "Pop," and threw herself into raising her children and supporting her church. She loved God and gave generously of her time, baking countless pans of Greek pastries for church fundraisers and festivals. As she aged, everyone came to know her as "Yiayia" and she loved to feed everyone, even long after they were full and couldn't eat any more.
She wasn't pleased when her body made her feisty spirit slow down in her later years but she continued to radiate an unparalleled love and kindness. That's when she added a second motto that she delivered with a smile and a shrug to all: "That's life!"
The family will receive friends Friday, May 20, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street, Newberry, FL 32669. Memorial Service will be Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church, 5129 NW 53rd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32653 with Father Nikitas Theodosion officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church Scholarship fund.
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