Florence (Arvanites) Hall, 88, of East Sandwich, MA passed away peacefully on January 18, 2020 at Cape Cod Hospital. Florence was born on August 14, 1931 in New Bedford, MA, and was the fifth of seven children born to Greek immigrants Anthony and Patricia (Soumbasis) Arvanites. Growing up in New Bedford, her life centered around church and family. Florence was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in New Bedford, MA and later in Centerville, MA where she joyfully sang in the church choir for many years.
Florence graduated from New Bedford High School in 1950 and received a certificate in Textile Technology from the New Bedford Textile Institute in 1952. Florence met her late husband, Stephen R. Hall on a blind date. At the time, both were working in the chemistry lab at the Acushnet Company (Titleist Corporation). They immediately fell in love, married in 1955, and enjoyed many happy years residing in Fairhaven prior to relocating to Cape Cod, which was their dream. Florence especially enjoyed spending time swimming and relaxing with her family at the beach, first at their summer cottage in Wareham, and then at the neighborhood beach on Spectacle Pond in East Sandwich where, by her assertion, she could get a tan “in 10 minutes”. In addition to working at Titleist, Florence worked at the Fairhaven Savings Bank, and also managed the offices at F.W. Schumacher Company and Decoy Realty in Sandwich.
Florence was known for her kind heart and generosity. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Florence was well known for her wonderful cooking, and in particular her perfection of Greek pastries and other Greek specialties. One rarely entered her home without encountering the aroma of fresh baked goods, nor left her home hungry or without a supply of koulourakia or other delicious Greek desserts to enjoy at home. Neighborhood children would knock on her door to receive a warm hug and a handful of cookies. Known for her generosity, Florence always had a bag of cookies or candy as a gift to all she encountered. A talented artist, Florence enjoyed painting beautiful watercolor landscapes and created original greeting cards which were cherished by those lucky enough to have received one.
Florence was loved and admired by all who knew her and was affectionately called Yiayia, Greek for grandmother, by not only her family, but by all who were dear to her. She was happiest and most content spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends. Yiayia was the matriarch of the family and always led by example. She instilled in her family an enduring appreciation for the values and traditions by which she lived each day of her life, passing along her love of the Greek culture and pride to her children and grandchildren. Selfless and always doing for others, all who knew her were truly blessed.
Surviving are her daughter, Susan (Kenneth) Kern of East Sandwich; her son, Stephen (Maureen) Hall of East Sandwich; her grandchildren Alexander (Allyson) Kern, Noelle (Clayton) Southworth, Christopher Hall, Stephen Hall, two great grandchildren, brothers Peter (Jimmie) Arvanites and Louis Arvanites, sister-in-law Barbara Hall, many cherished nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her loving husband Stephen R. Hall, her sisters Maria (Norman) Boucher, Olga (George) Xiarhos, brothers Steve (Brenda) and Charles Arvanites, sister-in-law Jeannette Arvanites, and brother-in-law Richard P. Hall.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1130 Falmouth Road Centerville, MA. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven, MA. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 154 Route 6A Sandwich, MA.
Memorial donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Centerville, MA. May her memory be eternal.
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