Lillian Papadopoulos

Our beloved mom, Lillian (Bikos) Papadopoulos of Nashua, NH, entered eternal rest surrounded by her children in her home Wednesday, May 14, at the age of 95. The second child and oldest daughter of Dionysios and Erini (Sperounis) Bikos, of blessed memory, she was born and raised in Lowell, MA, where she was a parishioner of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and a member of its choir. Lillian settled in Nashua in 1958 when she married the late George M. Papadopoulos with whom she celebrated 46 years of marriage before his passing in 2005. Together they raised four children: Christofily Papadopoulos (formerly Barker), Michael Papadopoulos, Daniel Papadopoulos (wife Elizabeth), and Raina Metivier (husband Todd).
Family was Lillian's greatest joy and utmost priority. She was their "queen." She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michael Barker and wife Mary and their children Fiona and Henry, Elena (Barker) Contois and husband Justin and their children Lyric and Gabriel, Nicholas Barker, Alexa Papadopoulos and husband John Lynch, Leah Metivier, and Daniel Papadopoulos. Lillian is also survived by her loving sister Efthemia Barrows and nephew Daniel Bikos (wife Julie and son Daniel). She was predeceased by her brother William Bikos and sister Archondula Athenais, nieces Irene Bikos and Sandra Athenais, nephew Emmanuel Athenais, sister-in-law Fotini Bikos, and brothers-in-law Charles Athenais and Daniel Barrows.
Lillian was 10 years old when her father, the owner of City Hall Barbershop, Lowell, MA, passed away. As soon as she was old enough, to contribute to the family income, Lillian rose before daybreak to work in a donut shop before the start of her school day. Stoic in the face of hardship, possessing a calm inner strength and a forgiving heart, she epitomized selflessness.
A sports enthusiast, Lillian's gymnastics skills earned her a place on the Lowell High School cheerleading squad. Although not a swimmer herself, she taught her children to swim. If the television was on, Lillian was likely watching the Red Sox, Celtics, or Patriots. She also had a taste for tennis, celebrating her eightieth birthday at the inaugural Caesar's Tennis Classic in Atlantic City, NJ, where at the VIP party, she was afforded red-carpet treatment as the senior-most guest in attendance. Lillian delighted in supporting her grandchildren's athletic endeavors. Otherwise serene and unassuming, she was known to rise abruptly from the bleachers while rather aggressively encouraging Elena to make the occasional Hack-a-Shaq.
After raising her children, Lillian traveled with friends and family. Among her favorite destinations were Greece, her parents homeland; Cyprus, her father-in-laws homeland; Germany; and Israel.
Lillian is remembered fondly by many Nashuans and beyond for her accommodating customer service in the employ of Almy's Department Store and Burlington Coat Factory. As a monitor for the Nashua School District, children gravitated to her warmth and care.
A communicant of St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church, Lillian was a member of the Ladies Society Agape. She was also a member of Daughters of Penelope Thisbe Chapter, an affiliate of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). Together with her husband, she cultivated in her children a fervent respect for the Orthodox Christian tradition and a deep appreciation for their Greek-American heritage.
Lillian's family wishes to thank her caregivers Tobi, Charlesetta, Pratima, Nairobi, and Januka from Universal Care Alliance and the team from Amedisys Hospice Care for facilitating their mom's comfort and care at home in her final days.
Family and friends are invited to Lillian's visitation on MONDAY, May 19 from 10:00 until 11:30 AM at St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church, 500 West Hollis Street, Nashua. Her funeral service will follow in the church at 11:30. Internment will take place following at Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua. Donations in Lillian's memory may be made to St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church, 500 West Hollis St., Nashua, NH 03062.
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