Ann Chrisoulis Soter

Ann (Chrisoulis) Soter, 96, of Rocky Hill passed away September 18, 2020 at home surrounded by her family after suffering many medical challenges with tenacity and grace especially in the last 6 months. The Daughter of the late James (Demosthenes) Chrisoulis and Angela (Nicholas) Avestesgiadou (Apostolus), who immigrated from Thrace, Greece and Lesvos respectively to Connecticut. She leaves behind three children: a loving Daughter & Son with whom she resided, Angela and Theodore of Rocky Hill; a Son and Daughter-in-Law, Philip & Deborah Soter of Colchester, CT; and loving Granddaughter, Jaime Faith Soter of Milford. Ann leaves her beloved Niece and God-Daughter, Joanne Chrisoulis of West Hartford.

She also leaves behind many beloved Nieces and Nephews and Cousins across the Country and Cousins in Greece. Ann loved children and was surrounded by them including children in the neighborhood. Especially close her son’s Godson, Spencer Morgan; a Grand Nephew Greyland Soter; Grand Nephew Nicholas Chrisoulis III, Grand Niece Nikole-Zayle, Grand Niece Mykaela and Grand Nephew Carter Demosthenes of Houston, TX and her dear neighbor little Holly (Renstrom) Benvenga she met at 3. She also leaves behind a dear friend Alice Anagnos of 70+ years friendship and a devoted friend from Church Peter Dizes . Also, left to grieve will be her very devoted Furbaby, Sandy.

Ann was predeceased by her husband George (Gige) Soter, as well as brothers James D. Chrisoulis of West Hartford & Nicholas Chrisoulis, Sr., of San Jose, CA and a close Nephew, David Chrisoulis as well as a very special Cousin Eva Banios who was like a Sister to her. Also predeceased by her beloved Nouno, (Godfather) Theodore Tzizitras (Josephson) who was a Psalti “Cantor” at St. George Greek Orthodox Church New Britain, CT for 50 years. She was also predeceased by a dear Church and School Friend Lucy Karabots.

Ann was a lifelong parishioner of the St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Hartford, CT where she was a Member of the Philoptochos Charitable organization and Daughters of Penelope.

Born in Farmington, CT she led an idyllic life in her early years with her Brothers and Parents. Ann enjoyed the finer things in life and especially haute cuisine from her Father Demosthenes who was the Head Chef of the Farmington Country Club and who trained in the Culinary Arts and some Theology at the world famous Halki University. Her Father and her amazing baking Mother would feed armies of family and friends who might drop in Farmington and later Hartford.

Ann loved spoiling her family and friends during the holidays and throughout the year as a result of her passion for shopping. She was affectionately referred to at the Barney Girl by her brother. He attributed the passion to Mrs. Barney of Farmington who gifted her an elaborate baby layette upon her arrival. Her brothers were caddies at the Club.
Farmington left an indelible impression on her throughout her life.

Yet, when Ann’s family moved to Hartford in 1936 another world opened up to her. Movies, dances and more exposure to all the Arts which thrilled Ann and her Brother Jim especially. Her oldest Brother Jim played the Violin and was an Orchestra Leader and Ann attended many infamous Bond Hotel Dances where he sometimes performed. They also saw National acts at the State Theater. She graduated from Bulkeley High School Class of 1942 and in her later years with her Goddaughter and Daughter would attend High School Reunions with her up until the amazing 70th .

She worked at G.Fox and then after graduating she landed her dream position as a Switchboard Operator for Southern New England Telephone Company and was quickly promoted to Supervisor. A chance meeting of her future Husband, Gige at a Greek Picnic thanks to Gige’s brother, Andy and beloved Sister-in-Law, Irene. After Dad’s service in Korea as a Marine, next phase of her life - Marriage and raising a Family. Mom worked at the phone company in Hartford the first 2 years of their marriage while Dad commuted to Cambridge and completed his MBA at Harvard. Ann was very loving, affable and helpful to those she knew well and those she may have just met.

Mom took on her role as a traditional‘Greek “YiaYia” with exuberance and had the ability to make a feast for a regiment and entertain her guests with the greatest of Greek delicacies as well as feed anyone whomever walked in the house and that also included elaborate birthday parties in the Formal Dining Room for the children.

She was also creative with handiwork (which she inherited from both parents) and focused on Needlepoint which helped ease her challenges as a caregiver to Gige who was afflicted with MS for decades. She cherished family gatherings at the house always including music. Ann sang in her Church Choir. She loved the music of her talented Brother “Demetri” the Violinist and then her Goddaughter on the violin, Son, Philip on the guitar and accordion and Daughter at the piano are priceless memories to all of us.

Ann and Gige moved around the country for George’s many roles in the new Computer Age. This offered Ann and her family exposure to locations across the U.S-including, MA, Ohio, CT and NY. In Stamford, CT the family was very active at the Church of the Archangels. Gige and Ann loved taking the family to NYC for the holidays - Easter and Christmas especially. They also enjoyed several family trips to California to visit her brother Nick and his Family.

At the home of the Soters with Ann at the helm, you could always count on great food, music, storytelling, singing, dancing and games with a ton of visitors; friends, family and with wonderful Neighbors like Family. Ann made her life-long dream of a trip to meet her Family in Greece in 1979 with her Goddaughter and Daughter as a result of bringing Angela to attend the American College in Paris. This was a trip for the books. Thankfully the Summer of 2019 she was reunited after 40 years to beloved relatives from Halkidiki, Greece via Vibr.

In her later years, with wheelchair and help with Daughter and friends, Ann greatly enjoyed attending the Greek Festivals at both the Hartford Church and the New Britain Greek Church. She absolutely couldn’t wait for the time to arrive to enjoy the food and music with her cousins and family counting the months, week and days. Both Churches were very special to her. And shopping she would do. She would buy many breads and sweets to bring to friends and neighbors and some for at home of course.

Ann was quiet about her Faith but she certainly prayed and one night a prayer for her Daughter proved lifesaving. It was a Premonition she had about Angela on 9/11 who worked in NYC at the time. Her Premonition led to an important Prayer. Her Prayer was answered and it kept Angela out of the Trade Center on 9/11 and saved her life.

The family is grateful to many amazing caring Doctors over the years - Drs. Lowe, Hallisey, Walden, Nascimento, ProHealth as well some very special caregivers Wendy who has been like a Daughter, Chris, Brooke (Eva and Pam of Polish Care Services) with her Daughter’s diligent management.

Our vibrant and loving Matriarch “ Yia Yia” and Mother will be deeply missed by her family and friends as she reunites with the love of her life, Gige!

Calling hours are Friday, September 25th at Brooklawn Funeral Home, 511 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT from 5 to 7. A funeral is planned Saturday, September 26th 10:30 at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 301 W. Main Street, New Britain, CT, Burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, CT to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in Ann’s memory to either the Multiple Sclerosis Society; American Heart Association; American Cancer Society, Multiple Myeloma Society, St. George New Britain Greek Orthodox Church, St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Hartford, CT, Church of the Archangels Stamford, CT or the Charity of your choice.