Obituary of Parthena Saltourides Athanasiades

Heaven gained another angel … Parthena Saltourides Athanasiades, age 90, the daughter of Anastasios Saltourides and Eleni Lafazanides Saltourides, passed away peacefully on August 28th, 2023 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Parthena was born in Komnina, Greece on September 15, 1930, and married Theodoros Athanasiades in 1955. As a young girl, Parthena worked for many years as a nanny in Greece to help support her family. She immigrated to the United States in 1967 with her husband, children, and siblings to pursue a better life for her family and settled in Fairfield County. She first started working for Swank, and from there eventually ended up working in the Laundry Department at the Norwalk Hospital for many years. Although the work was difficult and the hours were long, she never complained…and if asked how she was doing, would always look up and reply with “Thanks God” and a smile on her face. She had a strong work ethic, which she learned from living in a small village in Greece. Parthena’s other dedications in her life besides her family was her involvement with the church. She volunteered her time and spent many days hand rolling dolmades for the festivals and was in charge of making loukoumathes every year. She also loved her many friends, and her kipo. She enjoyed her gardening very much. She kept bright flower beds and spent countless hours tending to her fruits and vegetables. Even in her later years when her legs grew tired, she would still venture up the hill to her gardens with her cane in hand like she was climbing up to Parhari (Everest). She would always share her vegetables with friends and family much in the same way she shared her heart. During the evening, she would knit away like a spider spinning a web. She would make everyone an endless supply of blankets, throws, and especially “terlikia” (booties) whichwill remind us of her warmth and how comfortable she made everyone feel. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and will certainly always be remembered for her sense of humor. With her youthful heart and joyful nature she could bring endless laughter to her grandchildren and great grandchildren while horsing around, telling them “paramithia” from the old country, playing card games, eating popcorn, and playing “pokino.” Her home was your home. Her smile and hugs were a joy. Even in her last weeks when words slowly escaped her, she was compelled to tell everyone over and over “I LOVE YOU”. Her words will resonate just as her love did. Parthena is survived by her two children: Effie Afentoulides (Lefteri) and George Athanasiades (Alexandra); her grandchildren: Alexandra, Nick (Karen), Parthena, and Teddy; two great-grandchildren: Evie and Teresa; brother: Lazaros (Effie); two sisters: Ireni and Despina (Panagiotis); her sister-in-laws: Irene (Panagiotis) and Eleni (Konstantinos) and many nephews and nieces. And her favorite grand-puppy Rusty who spent so much time giving her kisses and tangling her yarn!! In addition to her parents, Parthena was predeceased in life by her husband, Theodoros, three brothers: Konstantinos (Mary), John (Eleni), and Christos (Rita); three sisters: Sofia, Anatoli, and Paraskevi (Evangelos); her brother in-laws: Konstantinos (Eleni), Panagiotis, and sister-in-law Kiriaki (Panagiotis). Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St, George Greek Orthodox Church, 238 West Rocks Road, Norwalk. Friends may visit with the family in the church, on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk.