Argie Roost

Argie Roost (nee Tsesmelis), age 80 of Waldwick, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday,
October 1st, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 10th, 1943 in
New York City to loving and doting parents, Harry and Harriet Tsesmelis.
Argie excelled academically and was selected to attend Bronx High School of Science (which she
claimed ranked higher than Stuyvesant High School where Arno attended). She then decided to
pursue a degree in education, where she met her 'Prince', Arno, at the City College of New
York. Argie went on to complete her Master's degree of Science in Education.
She spent most of her career teaching 3 rd grade at PS 189 in Washington Heights. In addition,
she was a teacher trainer, literacy coach and wrote curriculum. Teaching was her passion, she
loved all of her students, but had a soft spot for the 'naughty' ones.
She always considered herself a 'city' girl even though she lived in Waldwick for 52 wonderful
years, raising her family and being very involved in the schools and her community.
Argie was the life of the party, lighting up every room she walked into. She was an amazing
cook and loved to entertain. Many can attest that she made the best tiropitas, pastitsio and
moussaka around. She was proud of her Greek heritage and kept many of her family traditions
alive.
To Argie, family was everything. After retiring, Argie enjoyed special times with her grandsons
Gavin and Cason, reading books, playing games and crawling around the floor in her dresses
and high heels (always a fashionista!).
Argie and Arno loved to travel, taking two cross-country trips together in addition to yearly trips
to Maine and Canada. They reveled in the beauty of our National Parks, landscapes and cities.
In recent years, they enjoyed family trips to Italy, the Netherlands, Aruba and to Greece, finally
visiting Samos, the island her parents were from.
She was an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies with Arno and her beloved
golden retriever, Booker.
Argie is survived by Arno, her adoring husband of 55 years, her daughter Tina Nelson and son-
in-law Jeff, her son Christopher Roost, her son Andrew Roost and daughter-in-law Kim. She was
a loving Yiayia to grandsons, Gavin and Cason Roost and granddaughter Riley Nelson. She is
also survived by her brother Nicholas Tsesmelis and wife Maria, her sister-in-law Silvi Rubel and
nieces Karen Rubel, Christina Kaneris and Nicole Cea. She cherished her great nephews,
extended family and friends.
Visitation Wednesday 10/4/2023 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 from 4:00PM-8:00PM. Trisagion Service at the Funeral Home at 5:15PM. Funeral Service Thursday 10/5/2023 10:00AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 467 Grandview Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481. All to meet at church. Interment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to continue the fight to end Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's New Jersey - alznj.org
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