Sophie Georgiadis

Our loved and admired Mother, Yiayia, Thea, and dearest of friends left us peacefully in her sleep the morning of Thursday November 13th, 2025 after a long and well lived life.

She was born Sophie Anest Zulia in Lockport, New York in 1929. Her parents, Anastasi & Ergina, came from the Greek Island of Milos.

Sophie was the youngest of 6 children, born to immigrant parents who had no more than a grade school education. Her father had a shoe shine and hat cleaning shop, aptly named Zulia’s . . . Her mother worked at a canning factory and cleaned the local theatre. They instilled not only a strong work ethic, but a deep love and appreciation of family that would serve Sophie and all her siblings well . . . And continues to be passed on to their children’s children, a very impressive legacy in which Sophie played an important part.

As a child Sophie was bright & athletic. She was affectionately called ‘Sush’ by her brothers John, Slim, & Sam . . . And her sisters Aspasia & Katina.

Because she was the last of her siblings to marry & have children, she had the opportunity to play the part of ‘Fun Thea’ to 18 nieces & nephews. They have memories of her giving each and every one of them Christmas gifts when they were young . . . She even served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for Nephew Michael.

In 1952 Sophie moved to Akron to help her brother Sam begin his microfilm business. She was sharp with numbers and managed the finances, another part to play.

In Akron she was among the original members of the first Greek Orthodox Youth Association at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where she met James (Jimmy) Georgiadis.

Jimmy & Sophie married on January 19th, 1966 in the very same church, during what those in attendance remember as a terrific snowstorm. They began their life together on Norton Avenue, living next door to Jimbo’s . . . Jimmy’s restaurant he owned & operated with his brother, our beloved Uncle Jack Georgiadis. Sophie kept the books for this family business as well.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1966 Sophie gave birth to George. Later would come Anastasi on Christmas Eve of 1969. Ever lighthearted, Sophie joked she had a Turkey & Fruit Cake. Both boys would be baptized at Annunciation . . . Where Sophie was a member of Philoptochos, taught Sunday School, & served as President of the Church’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Any time family & friends gathered, you could be certain Sophie would make Lu Lu’s Cake, Halva, & Paximathia. But her specialty? Koulourakia! Otherwise known as ‘S’ Cookies. No holiday or special occasion was complete without everyone’s favorite, Thea Sophie’s Famous ‘S’ Cookies . . . A tradition carried on by her grandchildren today.

She famously sent cards as well, often with cut out comic strips tucked inside to cheer the recipient. She cheered others with her visits, always remembering dear family friends who were elderly & alone.

When her older grandchildren were young, every Thursday was ‘Yiayia Day’. Days spent at Yiayia & Papou’s included games of Go Fish, trips to the library, walks at Lake Anna, soda in fancy glasses, cheeseburgers at the Jimbo’s counter . . . And they also included accompanying Yiayia on her visits . . . Visits to Mrs. Livadas, Mrs. Bellios, Mrs. Michaels and others . . . What a loving example she set.

Even during the isolation of the pandemic, Sophie found a way to reach out to others by making ‘Kalinychta’ (Good Night) phone calls to friends & family. If you did not make the list don’t feel bad, her children & grandchildren were not on it either!

Sophie & Jimmy came to Coalridge in 2012 . . . Where she lovingly & tirelessly cared for Jim (Who she often called ‘Dear Dear’) until he passed in 2016. They shared 50 years of marriage . . . But whenever Sophie asked Jim how long they were married his response without fail was, ‘Not long enough Sophie, not long enough’.

While at Coalridge Sophie also played the part of confidant and trusted friend . . . We were often told by residents how much Sophie meant to them, how her friendship helped them to adjust to their new life there . . . She made many friends, but having resided there the longest, she endured watching too many go.

This past October we were blessed to celebrate ‘The 67TH Anniversary of Sophie’s 29TH Birthday’ . . . She would only ever claim ‘29 & holding’ as her age . . . She always said, ‘You pick a good number & you stick with it!’ Don’t tell anyone, but there were 96 candles on her cake.

We will never be able to adequately express our gratitude to everyone at The Inn at Coal Ridge. The love, respect, and kindness in how you cared for our mother and Yiayia . . . We will forever be grateful, and forever remember how you all stood in the hallway to honor Sophie as she left her home for the very last time . . . Because that is exactly what you made Coalridge . . . Her home since the day you opened, when she moved in more than 13 years ago. We extend our gratitude to Harmony Hospice Care for your compassion, support, and skill in making these last 2 years as comfortable and peaceful as possible for her . . . To Billows, the confidence we have in Stacy and your entire family to care for and honor our mother is the greatest comfort during this difficult time. Finally Pam Cavanaugh, you were her dear friend and she thought of you as a daughter . . . We hope you know how loved and appreciated you are, not only by Sophie, but our family for all you did to bring her happiness.

We take comfort in knowing she is once again with dear Papou, and our sweet Uncle Jack . . . Greeted by her beloved parents, siblings, and nephews who went before her.

Sophie leaves behind to cherish her memory her son George and his wife Leslie, and their children Elliot and Dimitri . . . Her son Anastasi and his wife Tiffany, and their children John, James, and Sophie . . . She also leaves behind those so very dear to her, Sister Aspasia Mellas, Brother-in-law Steve Scordalakis, and Sister-in-law Anna Zulia . . . The nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews she adored . . . With a special mention of Cookie & Ernie, who along with their late brother Michael thought of their Thea Sophie as a second mother.

Of the many parts she played so well, I would argue the role of Yiayia was her best . . . Whenever Yiayia told her first grandchild she loved her, Elliot (from the time she was a little girl) would respond, ‘I love you more!’ . . . Then would begin the contest of who could say, ‘I love you more!’ . . .

Well Yiayia, this time you won’t win the game . . . But everyone you gifted with your time, humor, and heart . . . We are the winners for having been the recipients . . .

We love you more.

Memorial donations may be made to The Anthony Retikas Scholarship Fund in care of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Funeral Service will be held 10AM WEDNESDAY, November 19th at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, OH 44304 with Rev. Fr. Dean Kokanos officiating. Interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 PM TUESDAY, November 18th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. with a Trisagion service at 5:30 PM.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)