Sottie (Todis) Costa of Framingham, MA, formerly of Chatham, MA and Fayetteville, NC, died peacefully, November 12, 2019, at St. Patrick’s Manor, Framingham, MA after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was 93.
Sottie was the daughter of Theodore and Ora Todis. Theodore and Ora emigrated from Fourka, Greece and settled in Boston. Sottie is the baby of the family. Sottie had many fond memories of her childhood, and the siblings shared many laughs together throughout their lifetimes.
Sottie is predeceased by her parents, her husband Sterge to whom she was married for 46 years, her daughter, Nancy and her brother Charles Todis. She is survived by her two sisters, Rita Neuman and Nikki Todis of Chatham, MA; her daughter, Janet Costa and husband Tom Doyle of Sudbury, MA, her grandchildren, Sara Gollinger and her husband Andrew, and David Doyle and his wife, Carolyn, and three great grandchildren: Jack and Alex Doyle and Evan Gollinger. She also leaves beloved nephews, Phil Neuman and his wife Carolyn, Bobby Neuman and his wife Diane, Chris Todis and his wife Bonnie, Ted Todis, and her grand nieces, Laura, Hillary and her husband David.
Sterge’s parents also emigrated from the same mountain village as Sottie’s parents. Sottie was a military officer’s wife for over 20 years and lived all over the world, including Germany and Japan. As a military wife, Sottie did a lot of entertaining and traveling.
After Sterge’s last assignment, Sterge and Sottie retired in Fayetteville, NC. Sterge was then employed by the state of North Carolina for the rest of his professional life. Sterge and Sottie had a fantastic set of warm and loving friends, many of whom were also affiliated with the Army. Sottie was active with the Retired Officer’s Wives Association in multiple capacities. Sottie was always a compassionate person and volunteered for multiple charities.
Sottie had a keen mind for business. She managed the Ft. Bragg consignment shop for many years and worked with many people who became lifelong friends. Sottie was ahead of her time. She always encouraged her daughter to stay in the workforce after having children.
After Sterge retired, Sottie and Sterge, along with her sisters and friends, traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Canada, the U.S. and Russia. After Sterge passed away, Sottie continued to travel with her sisters and friends. The three sisters, were known among their travel friends as the “happy Greek dolls”.
Sottie always loved word games, crossword puzzles and music. She could bust a dance move, even in her later years at her granddaughter’s wedding. And she was famous for her sense of humor; she had quite the quips and one-liners.
Sottie tackled her Alzheimer’s diagnosis with much grace and dignity. She would consistently say “I’ve got this, and I’ve got to make the best of it.” She and her daughter would talk about the disease, and Sottie would always be thinking of her daughter and the family in the process. Even through the later stages of the disease, she would crack up the room with her wonderful sense of humor.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 18, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1130 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA. Interment will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name may be made to St. Patrick’s Manor, 863 Central Street, Framingham, MA 01701.
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