Anna Anastasiou

Colchester — Anna Anastasiou, 62, of Colchester, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov, 27, 2020, with her beloved family by her side. She was born Nov. 14, 1958, in Xrisavgi, Kozani, Greece, the daughter of the late Dimitrios and Kasiani Valkanos.

Anna emigrated from Greece to Canada with her family at the age of 7. By the age of 10, her family had once again emigrated to Manchester, N.H., and finally to Hartford, where she attended school, graduating from Bulkeley High School in 1977.

In 1980, while vacationing in Greece, Anna met the love of her life, Konstantinos. Within weeks they were engaged and soon after married Aug. 16, 1981. They were the epitome of love at first sight. In 1982, the couple made their home in Colchester, where they raised their family and built a thriving and successful restaurant. Since 1978, Family Pizza has been a staple in the community where so many were greeted and welcomed by Anna.

Anna will always be remembered for her enormous heart, her love of life and most importantly, her love for her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. To say she was the matriarch of the family would be an understatement. Anna left behind a legacy of love and family that will live on forever. Anna will be sadly missed by her husband of almost 40 years, Konstantinos; her sons, Dimitri and Fotis and his wife Jocelyn; her beloved grandchildren, Lukas, Adrianna and Konstantinos; a brother, Christos and his wife, Maria Valkanos and their children, Dimitri and Yanni; and numerous extended family members and friends, both here and in Greece.

Walk-through calling hours, utilizing face covering and social distancing, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester. The Funeral Mass and burial will be held privately. Donations in Anna’s memory may be made to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude. org. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthfuneralhome.com.