Sophia Rallis

1943 - 2025

Sophia Rallis

Peterborough, NH - It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sophia Rallis (Panagiotacopoulos) at the age of 81, who left us peacefully on July 27, 2025 surrounded by the warmth and love of friends and members of her church community at Jaffrey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was born on August 1, 1943, in Lowell, MA, to Eugenia (Rallis) and Christos Panagiotacopoulos.

Sophia lived in the Monadnock Region for over 2 decades and Peterborough was her home. She was very active in her community and volunteered for many treasured organizations including Peterborough Players, McDowell Medal Days, Peterborough Folk Music Society, Monadnock Summer Lyceum and at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church where she served as a worship assistant and sang in the choir. Sophia was deeply loved and respected by the PUUC community and frequently spoke of her joy at finding such a supportive, loving spiritual home. Sophia was also well-known and loved in the larger Peterborough community, earning the nickname of "Mayor of Peterborough" from family and friends who noted how many people greeted her and stopped to talk whenever they were with her downtown.

Sophia was an avid reader and filmgoer - attending screenings at The Peterborough Community Theater was a beloved pastime - and she was always thrilled to experience live theater and music performances as well as playing bingo at The Peterborough Community Center. She treasured time with her friends and family, developing close bonds with her many siblings, nieces, nephews and their children. Before retiring, Sophia worked at several high schools in southern and northern New Hampshire, including High Mowing School, Souhegan High School and Dublin School where she was beloved by students for her compassionate, supportive nature. She worked as a caregiver at Robin Hill Farm and spent several years at Alice Blue Boutique where her singular sense of style and love of beauty were right at home.

In her earlier life, Sophia was involved in supporting local theater organizations in southern New Hampshire, serving on the board of directors at The Peacock Players and The American Stage Festival. She worked diligently on the Gary Hart campaign and was a member of the League of Women Voters, which began her lifelong support of the election process, having volunteered as a voting clerk during elections for several decades. She quit smoking in the early 80s, at a time when it was not the trend to do so, and she vowed to train and run in the Boston Marathon, which she did three years later. In the early 2000s she traveled to the South of France with a group of friends where she witnessed the annual Fete du Citron in Menton, France. She approached everything and everyone in her life with an open mind, open heart and with curiosity and gusto, staying true to a favorite Cole Porter song from her childhood, "Don't Fence Me In."

She was pre-deceased by her sisters Pat, Sandy, Betty, Helen, Andrea, Ginny, Julie and her brother John and her son's father Gilbert Ohnesorge.

Sophia is survived by her beloved son, Chris Ohnesorge, her dear nieces Kathy LaPorte and Terry Carroll and Kathy's children Alyssa and Charlie, whom she adored.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 on September 6, 2025 at 2:00pm. A reception will follow the service at PUUC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446 www.monadnockhumanesociety.org