Fotina Pavlou

1924 - 2015

Fotina Angelo Pavlou

New Orleans, LA

Fotina Angelo Pavlou, died at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at age 91 of recent CVA complications. Born on September 2, 1924, in Jackson, Mississippi, she was an extremely bright and determined individual, excelling as a student and graduating from Central High School in 1942 as Most Intellectual Girl in her class. Her scholastic achievements, notably editing publications, were remarkable considering she lost her father when she was seven and her mother spoke no English. Fotina dreamed of attending college and becoming a teacher but circumstances did not provide an opportunity to advance her studies. Still, she fulfilled her dream by teaching on many levels including sharing her passion for cooking and baking with family, as well as her love for the English language with relatives and friends that immigrated from Greece.

After graduation Fotina worked for McKesson and Robbins and for family members at the Jackson Café. On January 24, 1952, she married Spiros E. Pavlou of Hydra, Greece. Together, they acquired Angelo's Drive Inn (1959 to 1975) and later established Spiros' Package Store (1966 to 1993).

Fotina was a member of Holy Trinity-St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church while residing in Jackson, Mississippi, and of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans after moving to Louisiana in October 2004. She taught Sunday School and was a charter member of the Daughters of Penelope in Jackson (1962), serving as secretary, and a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society in Jackson and New Orleans.

She was preceded in death by her parents Konstantinos D. Angelo and Angelliki Antonopoulou Angelo Poulette; step-father Harry Poulette; husband Spiros E. Pavlou; siblings Anastasia A. Costakis of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jimmie K. Angelo of Jackson, Mississippi; and son-in-law George P. Catsulis of Kenner, Louisiana.

An intelligent, decisive force, Fotina always strived for perfection. She loved cooking, reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling and will be remembered most for her wise sayings, keen attention to detail, strong constitution, and historical knowledge of Greek American families settling in the South.

Survivors include daughter, Victoria Pavlou Catsulis of Kenner, Louisiana; son, Larry Pavlou (Maria) of Wheaton, Illinois; grandchildren, Major Peter G. Catsulis of Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas; Captain Spiro G. Catsulis of Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio; Melanie Pavlou and Spiro Pavlou of Wheaton, Illinois; sister-in-law, Lambryne Angelo of Jackson, Mississippi; brother-in-law Costas E. Pavlou of Byram, Mississippi; cousin, May L. Peters of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and nieces and nephews.

The family thanks the nurses and staff at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center for their compassionate care and support.

Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, New Orleans, on Monday, September 21, 2015, at 11:00 am. Reverend Father George Wilson will officiate. Visitation at the Cathedral will precede the service from 9:30 am to 11:00 am with a Trisagion Service at 10:30 am.

The burial will be at Clinton Cemetery in Clinton, Mississippi, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at 11:00 am with Reverend Father Paul Yerger officiating. It will commence with a Trisagion Service at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, 414 East College Street, Clinton. Visitation at the church will precede the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Trinity Cathedral Archives in New Orleans are preferred. To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.