Theopoula was born March 17, 1938, in Nea Erithrea, Greece, the daughter of Anastasios and Maria Karathanasis.Theopoula grew up the second of five children during World War II in Europe. Her family had many struggles during this time. Food and resources were scarce. She often told stories of hunger and hardship but she also told stories of resilience and determination and how her family stuck together and carried on, strengthened by their love for each other and their Orthodox faith. Theopoula attended school as often as she could during this time, and when she became a teenager she also learned to be a seamstress, which would serve her well during her adult life.
In the mid-1950's, Theopoula met who would later become her husband of 51 years, Lazaros, who predeceased her in 2007. They were married on January 8, 1956, and immigrated to the United States three months later, settling in Concord, NH. They both worked at the New England Cable Company in Concord for several years, with Theopoula also taking on seamstress work to further their dream of owning a home and starting a family. In 1964, they opened Charos Grille on North Main Street, across from the state house. They quickly built a reputation as hard workers and for the delicious food they prepared from scratch. In 1975, they expanded and opened Charos Restaurant, in a space close to the original business. In 1986, they sold the restaurant and took a well-earned retirement; retirement only being a matter of perspective, as they seemed to be even busier enjoying their time away from running a business.
Theopoula and Lazaros traveled many times to Greece, as well as Albania, where Lazaros was originally from. After his passing, Theopoula continued to regularly travel to Greece.
From the time she arrived in Concord, Theopoula became a vital part of the life of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Concord. Theopoula was an active member of the Ladies Philoptochos (friends of the poor) Society. She helped with the cooking and baking for the annual church festival, which among other specialties, featured the quince marmalade she made from the fruit she gathered from her own quince trees. Theopoula also used her talents as a seamstress to help the church by sewing altar cloths, icon stand covers and altar boy robes. Theopoula taught Sunday School and helped out with Greek School. In 2020, she was recognized with The Metropolis of Boston Ministry Award for her parish.
In addition to her seamstress work, she knitted and crocheted amazing blankets, sweaters, tablecloths and bedspreads. She was an exceptional cook and baker, known for her holiday sweet bread, baklava and spinach pie.
By far, the people in her life – family and friends - made her the happiest. She strived to make everyone feel special and cared-for.
In addition to her husband, Theopoula was predeceased by her brother, Kostantinos Karathanasis. Theopoula is survived by her daughter, Lula Melisko and her husband, Marc, of Graham, NC; her son, Thomas Tsaros and his wife, Amantha, of Lexington, MA; her son, Demetrios Tsaros and his wife, Vanessa, of Concord, NH; grandchildren Jeffrey Grey and Lazaros Nikolos Tsaros of Concord, NH; and Sophia and Alexander Tsaros, of Lexington, MA; her sister, Kalliope Pagonis and her husband, George, of Nea Erithrea, Greece; her brother, Michael Karathanasis and his wife, Despina, of Concord, NH; her brother Spiro Karathanasis of Concord, NH; her sister-in-law Kalliope Karathanasis of Loudon, NH; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family in the United States, Greece and Albania.
Calling hours will be on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 12:30pm - 2:00 pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, followed by the funeral service at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 N. State St., Concord, New Hampshire. Burial will follow at Blossom Hill Cemetery in North Main Street, Concord, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Granite VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St., Concord, NH, 03301 or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 N. State St., Concord, NH, 03301.
Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of arrangements.
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