Obituary of Harriet (Pappathanasi) Maistrellis

Harriet (Pappathanasi) Maistrellis, 78, of Winthrop, formerly of Peabody, wife of William “Bill” Maistrellis, died surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Florence E. Chavetz Home in Chelsea following a long illness. Harriet was born in Peabody, on July 6, 1935 daughter of James and Georgia (Scangas) Pappathanasi. She was raised in Peabody, attended and graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1953, and pursued her education at Fisher Junior College receiving her Degree in 1955. Harriet was first employed at GTE Sylvania in Salem, and spent the majority of her career at the West Lynn Creamery as Director of Purchasing. After living in Peabody for most of their lives, Harriet and Bill were the first of their friends to “downsize,” and moved to Winthrop to be closer to the sea and their boat, the “Ralise” and later the “Hera.” Harriet caught more fish with her string, hook and worms than others with their rods, reels and lures. She loved Greek dancing and a good party. Though not overly fond of cooking, she loved to entertain, and guests always enjoyed her shish-ka-bob, or if lucky, a freshly caught fish with lemon, butter and toasted almonds. She made a mean cheesecake. In the winter she grilled steaks in the garage. Harriet had a big heart, and there was always “room for one more,” as evidenced when she and Bill made a split-second decision to have Bill’s visiting 17-year-old cousin from Australia, John Maroulis, live with them so he could study art in Boston for four years. Harriet quickly became John’s 2nd mother, a relationship they both cherished. She loved to garden, and often stopped and stooped to weed in her high heels, while carrying her pocketbook and a stack of papers in one arm, on her way in the door from work. Weekends were sacred, and Harriet spent them with the people she loved. She had countless fun times and good laughs with her sisters-in-laws who were also her best friends: Rust Pappathanasi, Anita Buchanan and the late Gail Maistrellis Murray, and her cousin-in-law, Trudy Scangas. She cherished her yearly winter vacations in St. Maarten with friends and family. Later in life she found she had a talent for painting and shared that passion with her grandchildren. Harriet was incredibly loving, generous, supportive and will be dearly missed. In addition to her husband Bill with whom she shared 54 years of marriage, she is survived by her devoted daughters and their husbands, Raina McManus and Michael of Wellesley, and Elisa Maistrellis-Ryng and David Ryng of Hampton NH; her cherished grandchildren, Hera Kolodziej and her husband Matthew of Sudbury, and Tycho McManus of Wellesley; a brother Arthur Pappathanasi and his wife Rust of Swampscott; a brother-in-law, Tom Buchanan; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the Florence & Chavetz Home for Specialized Care for their extraordinary care and kindness during Harriet’s later years. Harriet’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. As per her request there will be no services. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.