Gianopoulos, Nancy (Nafsika)
Nancy Gianopoulos fell asleep in the Lord on November 30th, 2016. Born November 5, 1925, in the village of Kalloni on the island of Lesvos, Greece, Nancy was the third of four children born to Ignatios and Myrsini Antoniadou. After World War II, Nancy emigrated to the United States, where she met and married Mannie Gianopoulos of Haverhill, Massachusetts. The couple moved to Santa Fe in 1948, then to Albuquerque in 1960.
Nancy was a devoted matriarch to her family. Tirelessly cooking, baking, serving, and of course, worrying--a key aspect of Greek motherhood--Nancy represented her cultural traditions with her own personal flair. Her traditional Greek dinners and pastries were considered exemplary by all, and she mastered many American dishes as well.
Nancy loved the sea, and by installing a swimming pool in her backyard, she found a way of indelibly imprinting her love onto family and friends through the connection of water. Spending summer days in Yiayia Nancy’s swimming pool is a cherished memory shared by many.
Nancy volunteered with St. George church groups and at the Presbyterian Hospital gift shop. She made friends and she traveled, nurturing her curiosity. Nancy was fond of saying that she grew up an independent spirit, exploring the vineyards and olive trees surrounding the village in her youth, and this desire to learn and experience more about the world stayed with her.
In her later years, Nancy joyfully nurtured and loved her grandchildren, their spouses, and greatgrandchildren. Yiayia, we thank you for being the anchor of our family.
Nancy is survived by her three children and their spouses: Katherine and George Pappas, Chris and Stephanie Gianopoulos, Igg (Dean) and Denise Gianopoulos. She is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Melanie and Jeff Stevens, Anastasia, Andrew and Aaron Estocin, Peter Gianopoulos, Alex Gianopoulos, Vicki, Charlie, Eleni and Vassi Pizanis, Evia and Katia Gianopoulos. She is also survived by her brother George and several nieces and nephews in Europe.
A Trisagion will be sung at French Mortuary on University NE at 5:00 PM today. The funeral will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 308 High Street NE, at noon tomorrow, December 5th, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery on Yale SE. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers at BeeHive Homes and to the nurses from Hospice of New Mexico for their exceptional and loving care for Nancy.
May her memory be eternal.