Marina Angelopoulos

Quaker Hill - Marina Angelopoulos, age 87, longtime resident of Quaker Hill, passed away peacefully at home, July 17, 2023, among her family and loved ones. She was predeceased by her husband Ioannis "John" Angelopoulos. Marina is survived by her children, William, Maria and Milton, their spouses, Elizabeth, Vanita and Susannah; and her amazing grandchildren whom she adored: John, Katherine, James, Maeve and Marina.

Marina was born in Rogozio, Greece. As the youngest in a family of six siblings, Marina was an independent spirit from her youth. She grew up under the Nazi Occupation of Greece. In her teen years, she lived and clandestinely fought with the partisans against the Communists during the Greek Civil War. Marina was so familiar with the mountain paths, and so trustworthy, that she participated in the Resistance in many ways. Her stories from that harrowing time were tempered with reminiscence of playing with her brothers, sister and cousins during happier times. As times became less turbulent, she trained as a seamstress and became known for her skillful needlework: sewing, dressmaking, tailoring, altering, needlepoint, tatting, knitting and crocheting.

After moving to Athens as a young woman, she attended the Seamstress Academy in Athens, while nurturing her brothers as they found work in and around Athens. She enjoyed her time in the city. She further developed her sense of humor and her pleasure of the ruse and practical jokes. She loved to dance and sing. She met and married John. After having Bill and Maria, the family relocated to Norwich. Marina learned English through television soap operas, her neighbors, fellow parishioners and night school. Her warm personality helped establish the family quickly. After Milton was born, they moved to Quaker Hill. She and her husband opened Quaker Hill Pizza where they had a loyal clientele who appreciated the desserts Marina made in addition to the Greek style pizza that was served.

After the death of her husband, Quaker Hill Pizza was eventually sold. Marina's needle work supported her family. Besides doing alterations from home, she worked at Styles, The Casual Shop, the Naval Base, and eventually, opened Marina's Alterations in Groton. She altered and tailored everyday clothes, work clothes, formal clothes, canvas marine coverings, motorcycle leathers and bridal wear. She had many devoted clients from throughout the country. When she retired from that business, she was able to devote time to her grandchildren and beautiful garden. It was a labor of love and a display of her talent as a gardener. People would purposely turn on to her street to admire her work, with several stopping to express their delight in her flowers.

Marina was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. She supported her children's interests by being a consistent presence at their activities. She chaperoned trips, coordinated food and beverages for the marching band, sports teams, boy's and girl scouts, and other clubs and activities. Marina was proud of her Greek heritage and was an active member of Greek women's service clubs known as the Daughters of Penelope and Philoptochos.

When people met Marina, they knew that they were speaking with a woman lacking in pretention yet filled with an innate intelligence and wisdom. She was kindest to those most vulnerable. People knew that they would always be fed at her table unless they disturbed her when she was watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, tennis player "my Pete" Sampras or her favorite soccer teams. She was strong in body and spirit. Marina was a very hard worker who earned everything good in her life. She never expected things to be easy, but worked, without complaint, to make things better for those she loved. She will be deeply missed.

Her forty-day memorial service will follow the liturgy at Saint Sophia Orthodox Church in New London, Aug. 27. The family would like to invite everyone who would like to share memories and celebrate her life at a coffee hour after the service, at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to DINE, the New London Community Meal Center at 12 Montauk Avenue. (NewLondonCommunityMealCenter.org).