Voula Zavoritis
Groton — Voula P. Zavoritis passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, after a long illness, at the age of 92. She was born on Sept. 9, 1925, and raised in Kalamata, Greece, the oldest of eight children. Voula married Christ Zavoritis in Kalamata in 1951, and moved to Groton to begin a new life. Together, in 1955, they built and opened Christy’s Lunch on North Street in Groton, which they worked as a team until they retired in 1989.
During her lifetime, she witnessed the ravages of a World War, adapted to a new life, language and culture, celebrated a happy 40-year marriage, took pride in the successful business she and her husband ran, and was blessed by the love and support of her husband, family and the countless number of friends and acquaintances made.
She was a longtime member and lifetime supporter of St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church in New London. Voula enjoyed selling pastries and Greek food that she and the other ladies had made at the annual Greek Festival. Many were impressed with her quick mathematical skills, the ease and speed she would package a purchase, and with her happy and friendly conversations. She brightened the life of many and fed thousands delicious food that had been prepared with tender loving care by an excellent baker and an accomplished cook. Her love of cooking only exceeded her love for beautiful clothes. She loved fashion and was a keen observer of trends, always choosing to wear beautiful, timeless garments that were worn to perfection with pride and accessorized with sophistication.
Voula is survived by her three siblings, Theodore Monemvasitis of Groton, Niko Monemvasitis of Sparta, Greece, and Efstathia Kazakos of Wethersfield; and her nieces and nephews, Rita Scuris of Wethersfield, Peter Monemvasitis of Waterford, Vicki and Kathy Stevens of Groton, Katerina Adamopoulos of Greece, Peter Monemvasitis of Sparta, Greece, Peter Ganacoplos of Groton, Christine Ganacoplos of New London, Patricia Shantz of San Diego, and Irene and Sophia Ganacoplos of New York City. Voula is also survived by her sister-inlaw Maria Monemvasitis of Waterford.
She was predeceased by her parents Panagioti and Katarina Monemvasitis, her brother Basil Monemvasitis, and her sisters Maria Scuris, Friderika Stevens and Jenny Monemvasitis.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Wednesday, April 25, at St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church. Interment will be in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, Groton. Visiting hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, and from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead St., New London, CT 06320. Please visit www.byles. com to sign the guest book or share a memory.