Dorothy T Louisos

Dorothy is survived by her children, George Louisos (Jane Kelly), of Marblehead, Stefan Louisos (Gayle), of Marblehead, and Elaina Louisos Kramer (Alan) of Swampscott. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Chopelas (Daisy) of Rockport, TX, six grandchildren, Brian Louisos (Jamaica Plain, MA), Jeremy Louisos (Durham, N.H.), Elizabeth Kramer (Westbrook, ME), Dorothy Louisos (Salem, MA), Bethany Louisos (Portland, ME), Dan Kramer (Oakland, CA), six great-grandchildren, and numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Born in Malden, MA on September 30, 1922, she was the daughter of the late George and Angeliki (Pappaeoannoa) Chopelas, and sister to the late Thalia Coras and the late Constance Sonis.

As a child, Dorothy played the violin in her school orchestra and enjoyed excursions with her dad. She worked in her father’s restaurant in Malden Square and graduated Malden High School. It was at her dad’s restaurant where she met her future husband, Arthur. Shortly after the events of Pearl Harbor, he joined the army and became a medic, while she became a crane operator in the Charlestown Navy Yard as a part of the war effort and to help support her family. She was promoted to Ship Fitter’s Helper and after three years of war, and a lengthy courtship through letters, she and Arthur were married when he returned in 1945. They worked in a restaurant in Ayer, MA, and another restaurant in Dennisport, MA, living in a trailer with their infant son, George. They later moved to Lynn where they welcomed another son, Stefan, and their daughter, Elaina. There they ran a grocery store, the Corner Variety, seven days a week for ten years. After their one vacation in 1957, they bought Baldwin’s Market on Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead, across from Stowaway Sweets. What a treat to be open 6 days a week! Dorothy always spoke about how she and her husband were a team, “When he married me, he got not only a wife, but a partner.” She managed all the accounts, he was a butcher and “you kids helped us in the store” until they retired in 1975.

Arthur and Dorothy enjoyed traveling for several years, but Dorothy quickly became involved in a number of community activities, volunteering at the Abbot Public Library to help people complete their taxes and working for the MSPCC thrift shop near the Village Plaza. She also enjoyed singing for the Neptunes, a choral group in town, and line dancing with other seniors during the Marblehead Festival of the Arts. She hosted many large gatherings, played the mandolin at family parties, danced at Greek picnics and laughed with girl friends from the old neighborhood – a group known simply as “The Club”.

One of Dorothy’s most striking attributes was her positive outlook. Whenever people asked her how she was doing, she was famous for her tried and true Greek response, “Mia Harra,” roughly translated as “one big happiness.” She would say, “You’re the reason I’m living so darn long… I have good people in my life.” She never tired of rides around town and walks to Devereux Beach, remarking on how lucky she was to live in such a beautiful area. She especially enjoyed watching the waves during storms or looking out on the water by her husband’s bench at the end of the causeway.

She loved family visits with her cousins, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and would laugh as she reminisced with her brother about their childhood in Malden or excursions to see Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. Her brother often speaks about how she brought culture to the family through her love of classical music and the opera.

While she was at the Lafayette Rehab for two months, most of the last year of her life was spent at the Bertram House. She spoke often about both facilities, and how the “wonderful people” always had a smile. They engaged with her, cared for her, and helped us arrange a birthday party and family visits. When she became ill and visiting was restricted due to the corona virus, they were her family when we couldn’t be there physically. We will be forever grateful to the Lafayette and Bertram House staff, Care Dimensions and Right at Home for their warmth and support.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family will postpone formal services in favor of a Celebration of Life to be held later this year when all are able to gather, hug, dance and share memories. Given Dorothy and Arthur’s years in the grocery business, donations in her honor can be made to any organization supporting small businesses/restaurants or to:

My Brother’s Table, 98 Willow Street, Lynn, MA 01901

Anchor Food Pantry, 200 R Essex Street, Swampscott, MA 01907

Marblehead Food Pantry, 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945