Obituary of Joan M. (Athenais) Papanicholas

Joan M. (Athenais) Papanicholas, 95, of Peabody, died Wednesday evening at the Peabody Glenn Nursing Center after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Louis Papanicholas. She was born in Lowell, MA on August 6, 1915, the daughter of the late Emmanuel and Georgia (Psoinos) Athenais and had resided in Peabody for the past 65 years. She was a skilled stitcher and had made parachutes for the US Government during WW 11. She later was a stitcher at the Duchess Footwear Company of Salem for 15 years prior to her retirement. Joan was known as a very “special lady” who was giving of her talents in sewing and gardening and in cooking. She enjoyed going to Bingo and loved hearing her favorite music. She was most admired by her loving grandchildren who loved their “Yia- Yia”. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Manny Papanicholas and Linda Lammi of No Reading, a daughter, Serrina Papanicholas of Swampscott, her 4 grandchildren, Alex and Jason Papanicholas of No Reading, Paul Sperounes and his wife Tess, and Maria Sperounes all of Swampscott her two cherished great grandchildren, Kristina and Michael Sperounes, her sisters, Antonia Blatus of Dracut, MA and Effie Ramsey of Selma, TN and several nieces and nephews. A Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. Her Funeral will be held on Monday at 9:00 AM from the Funeral Home followed by Services in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, Peabody at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Vasilios Altar Fund, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody, MA 01960 in her memory.