Carol Vaniotis

Carol Cockerill Vaniotis was taken by the lord on January 9, 2021. She was born in Bridgeport, CT on April 30, 1941, the daughter of the late Harold Ellsworth and Ruth Estelle (Ryder) Cockerill. In 1967, she married her high school sweetheart, best friend, first love and soulmate, William Vaniotis, who will always be in her heart. They raised their family in Huntington, CT.

She is survived by daughters Christine Ruggiero and her husband Dominic and Marijane Papanikolaou and her husband Alexandros, grandchildren Maria Alexia and Lia Carol Vaniotis, and Sofia Carol and Nikos Socrates Papanikolaou, and great-grandson, Peter Michael Watts and his father Michael. She is also survived by godchildren Cassandra Vaniotis and Samuel Miller. She was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Ann Wheeler Grubbs.

Carol was very family orientated, and she was an integral part of her daughters’ and grandchildren’s lives. She truly cherished her grandchildren. They all called her “Yiayia” and brought great joy to her. Some of the happiest years of her life were spent with her beloved grandchildren, especially watching them after school, helping them with homework and school projects, and going to school activities, dance performances and soccer games. She wrote a storybook for each of the grandchildren when they were born. Her husband’s family loved Carol and considered her a part of their immediate family.

Carol loved all animals, especially her pet dogs, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting and making craft projects with her family.

Carol also loved music. She trained in voice lessons and sang with the Huntington Congregation Church Choir since high school. After marriage, Carol sang for 50 years with the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Choir and enjoyed singing with the Greek Coral Group. Her strong faith and her goal to return to choir gave her the strength to endure her battle with poor health.

Everyone enjoyed Carol’s English specialties, especially her Yorkshire pudding. She became very fond of Greek food as Greek culture became a big part of her life. She always said that she is Greek in Spirit. Carol’s favorite vacations were taking cruises with her husband. She graduated from Shelton High School and attended Willimantic Teachers College.

Friends are invited to go directly to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. where the Rite of Burial will be officiated by Father Georgios Livaditis with interment immediately following in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until time of service in the church. The Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main Street, Bridgeport has been entrusted with the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Church Choir in memory of Carol. For online condolences, memorial tributes and donations visit us at commercehillfh.com

AIONIA I MNIMI