Stella Thomas

Born December 27, 1914-Died November 15, 2018 Stella (Vaniotis) Thomas, died peacefully, Thursday, November 15, 2018 at St. at Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, Ma. She was just shy of her 104th birthday.

Stella Vaniotis was born in Lowell, Mass on December 27, 1914, second daughter to William and Georgia Vaniotis. She had a happy childhood growing up in Lowell with her two sisters, Alice and Eva and three brothers, Socrates, Nicholas and Louis. She often talked about her childhood days and kept in close contact with her sisters and brothers throughout her life. She attended the Greek American school in Lowell. She was known to speak and write fluently in both English and Greek.

After school and working in Lowell, she met and later married Gus Thomas in 1944. Together they settled in Concord, NH, where they raised their two children George and Steamna.

During her years in Concord, Stella was very active in her church and her children’s school activities. She enjoyed her days as a Sunday school teacher and was always baking with other ladies of the church for their church functions. Her walnut cake was a special request.

Family birthdays and holidays were very special events for Stella. When she became a grandmother, (Yiayia) she enthusiastically accepted that role. She was loving and fun to her four granddaughters, Cassandra, Amanda, Melissa and Laura.

In 2004, she moved to Sudbury, Ma, to live with her daughter Steamna and her husband Fred Gefteas. Her years there were very happy. She also spent time in Durham, NH with her son George and his wife Denise. In 2011, she required more personal care and moved to St Patrick’s Manor. Her family is deeply appreciative of the excellent care she received there from everyone, from the housekeeping and dining room staff to the nurses. There she was known for her quick wit and made all whom she met laugh.

Everyone at the manor always had something pleasant to say about Stella.

Stella was predeceased by her parents, siblings, Alice, Socrates, Nicholas and Louis. She was also predeceased by her husband Gus Thomas to whom she was married to for 46 years. She is survived by her youngest sister Eva Vaniotis of Fairfield, Ct, her son George and his wife Denise of Durham, NH, her daughter Steamna and husband Fred Gefteas of Groton, Ma, her four granddaughters Cassandra

Thomas and her husband Aaron Fyfe and their two sons, Oliver and Owen, Amanda Thomas of Dover, NH, Melissa Keaveney and husband Patrick, and Laura Thomas of Brooklyn, NY. She also leaves beloved nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grandnephews.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 18th at Bennett Funeral Home, Concord NH From 3pm to 5pm with a trisagion service at 4 pm in the Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church at 11 am Monday, November 19th. Burial will follow in Blossom Hill Cemetery Concord.

In lieu of flowers Donations may be made in her name to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Concord NH or St Patricks Manor Framingham MA