Theresa Rose Fotiu

Theresa was born on October 5, 1943, in Lowell, Massachusetts to her loving parents Louis Costanzo and Virginia Salem. She attended Greek Orthodox Parochial School in Lowell, Massachusetts and later graduated from business college. She was lovingly raised by her mother Viriginia Salem, her aunt Lieutenant Colonel Mary Sarris and aunt Harriet Savard (and Gerald Savard), along with her beloved grandfather Charles Sarris who immigrated to Ellis Island, NY from Greece. Theresa spent much of her childhood surrounded by her loving family, including her two cousins, Harry Savard and Pamela Valace (Savard), with whom she shared a sibling-like bond.

Among her many accomplishments, Theresa worked in the billing office of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and later as the business office secretary for the Glimmerglass Opera Company which she eventually became the caterer of for the company’s gala events.

Theresa’s passion for the culinary arts was well-known by many. She owned and operated multiple restaurants beginning first with the popular Mykonos restaurant and night club in downtown Albany, NY in the 1970’s with her husband and then later in 1985 she opened her business - The Gourmet Connection in Cooperstown, New York. The well-known restaurant and catering company expanded into a diverse operation that included a home-based commercial kitchen, the seasonal management of the Cooperstown Country Club and a special event venue at Belvedere Lake.

Theresa’s passions for high quality, culturally diverse food and gathering people together at the table earned her a wonderful reputation. Most notably, Theresa became the exclusive catering provider annually for many years for the staff, media crews, and honorary inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

But most important of all her achievements, Theresa was well known and admired for her care of others through the food she served to friends and family all the decades of her life, a legacy which she would always say began at home with her mother, aunt, and grandfather whom she referred to so often by declaring that she “learned from the best.”

When Theresa was not cooking, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and family which included trips to Europe, Asia, Africa, and extensively throughout the Caribbean. Theresa was a faithful parishioner of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Raleigh and an active member of The Ladies of Philoptochos Society of Raleigh which she served devotedly since arriving in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2001 from New York.

She was proceeded in death by her mother, Virginia Salem (Sarris); her aunt, Lieutenant Colonel Mary Sarris; aunt, Harriet (Sarris) and Gerald Savard; her grandfather, Charles Sarris; uncle, Harry Sarris; cousin, Dr. Capt. James Valace; sister-in-law, Alexandra (Fotiu) Papas and brother-in-law, John Papas; sister-in-law, Fredericka Fotiu; and brother-in-law, Milton Papas.

Theresa is survived by Foti Fotiu, her loving husband of 56 years; her loving daughter, Thea Fotiu Howell and son-in -law, Neal Howell and her granddaughter, Alanna all of Raleigh - who she adored beyond measure. She also leaves behind her loving sister-in-law, Helen (Fotiu) and Joe Anastasio; her sister-in-law, Polikseni Fotiu; her cousin, Harry Savard and her cousin, Pamela Valace (Savard); along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 1st from 5-7pm, with Trisagion Prayers at 6pm, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh, NC.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 2nd at 11am at Holy Trinity, followed by burial at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Theresa may be honored with donations to the philanthropic charity she was so endeavored to, The Ladies Philoptochos Society of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Raleigh, North Carolina or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Fotiu family.