Mom loved iguanas. And shoes. And beautiful clothes. And babies. Not in that particular order. She was also incredibly generous and giving, and was always getting gifts for everyone, for every occasion. She was thoughtful, and between a lifetime of "how are you" phone calls and thank you cards, she touched so many people with her caring, concern and consideration for them. And this was all before cell phones, texting and social media. But she did have an iPhone, and was like a teenager with it; she especially loved taking pics and "myselfies" of her and dad.

The woman loved to shop. From the day she discovered Loehmann's to her enchantment with QVC and HSN in her later years, she couldn't resist a great deal on stylish additions to her wardrobe. It was the subject of a lot of loving family ribbing, although poor dad got relegated to the guest room closet.

Her good taste also extended to her creativity, from knitting patterned wool sweaters for her kids (mine had me looking like an Irish fisherman), to needlepointing exquisite pillow covers. But she really blossomed when she discovered jewelry making. She was prolific, and her designer's eye manifested in her amazing creation of intricate necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

And she could cook. Whether it was a Greek dish she learned from her mother, or a fancy recipe from one of her countless cookbooks, mom knew her way around the kitchen. That often put her at odds with dad, who of course also considered the kitchen his turf. But when they cooked together, it was a beautiful thing, from shopping the local vegetable market and Publix for ingredients, to bringing it home and putting it all together.

Mom was a Jersey girl at heart, even after 48 years in Florida. Her parents married in Greece, and her mom was pregnant with her before they left. Mom always joked that she rode on the Orient Express in her mom's belly as they made their way from Greece to France, where they set sail to America. She was born and raised in Asbury Park, where she grew up in the Greek community there and was active in St. George Greek Orthodox Church. She sang in choir, performed in plays, and even taught Sunday school. Her parents, Andreas and Aphrodite, had a candy store called the Criterion Tea Shoppe on the boardwalk, and she and her sisters, Georgia and Margaret, all worked there from early spring through the fall.

Mom also attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Glenside, Pennsylvania for two years. It was an all-girls school at the time, so again, a lot of loving family ribbing…

She had an easy, warm smile for everyone, but especially for her beloved husband of 67 years, Bill. Fun fact—when dad proposed to mom, she never technically said "yes" to him. Smart girl. So then dad went to her father, and he said "yes." Smart guy. And then her mom who was listening from the next room came running in with a big hug and kiss for him. Of course, mom was smitten, and they were married on November 2, 1958, in the middle of a snowstorm—an auspicious beginning to a lasting love, three kids, and a restaurant life that eventually led her to Boynton Beach, Florida in July, 1977, and almost 20 years of hosting at Busch's Seafood Restaurant. Working with a crew that felt more like family, mom was beloved by all, and got to know a lot of our customers as friends as well. She also knew how to put rude folks in their place…did I mention she was from Jersey?

Mom almost made it to her 90th birthday. She is survived by her husband Bill; her daughters Marina and Andrea; son Paul and son-in-law Robert; her sister Margaret, brother-in-law Robert; her nieces Lisa, Hayley and Jamie, Danielle, Arianna & Alessandra; and her nephews George, John, Brandon and Zachary.

Above all, mom was a force of love. She always said, "love conquers all," and she lived it every day. She was the best of us, and we will miss her every day until we see her again.

A visitation will take place at Boynton Memorial Chapel from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. A prayer service will be held during the visitation with the time to be announced.

Chris will have services in Neptune, New Jersey following the visitation in Florida, and will be laid to rest at St. George Greek Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making contributions to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Chris' memory.