Ethel (Athanasia 'Soula') Kallianiotes

Ethel (Athanasia “Soula”) Kallianiotes, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 8th. She was the wife of the late Peter Anthony Kallianiotes and the daughter of the late George and Christina Psihogeos.

Born on July 11, 1929, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Soula returned with her family to their ancestral home in Agoriani, Laconia, Greece during the Great Depression. Their plans to return to the United States were interrupted by the German invasion of Greece in World War II. She often spoke with quiet pride of those difficult years, sharing stories of courage, faith, and family endurance that left a lasting impression on her children, teaching them the value of resilience and hope.

In 1946, at the age of sixteen, she returned to the United States with her older sister under the U.S. Repatriation Program, sponsored by their uncle Christos Paikos. The sisters settled in Lynn, where Soula worked full-time in the shoe industry while continuing her education and later becoming a skilled seamstress. A few years after her husband’s return from the Korean War, she married Peter, discovering only later that they had both sailed from the United States to Greece as children on the same ship and had returned in the same year. They often marveled at the parallel paths their young lives had taken.

Soula created a warm and loving home filled with beautiful memories. Devoted to her faith and to family above all else, she was a radiant, compassionate woman whose inner strength, creativity, and zest for life never faded. She found deep joy in her role as Yaya, lovingly teaching her grandchildren Alexa and Anthony Greek prayers, songs, traditions, and life lessons through countless stories. She delighted in being present at Alexa’s wedding to Alex last July. An accomplished artist with her hands, she later pursued her love of design on Cape Cod, creating distinctive handbags that earned awards at juried craft shows. A gifted and intuitive Greek cook, she filled her kitchen with the aroma of fresh bread and meals made with heart. She cherished her garden, the beauty of nature, and the many dogs and cats that were constant, beloved companions throughout her life.

She is survived by her devoted children, Olga Hantis and her husband Paul, Cristina Kallianiotes and her partner Jim, and Anthony Kallianiotes and his wife Helina; her loving grandchildren, Alexa and her husband Alex, and Anthony; and two special young people she embraced as grandchildren, Elijah and Sahara. She is also survived by her dear nieces, Betty Tolkin and her husband Steve, and Gail Karagiannis and her partner Tony; her great-nephews Alex, Benjamin, and Andreas; her cousin George Garantziotis; her niece Tina; her nephews Dino and Andrew; her great-niece Sophia; and many other nieces and nephews in Greece. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Konstantina Mystakides and brother-in-law Eric.