Paraskevi Mandros

Paraskevi “Voula” Mandros, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and the beloved heart of her family’s home, passed away at the age of 89. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and unconditional love.

Born in the small mountain village of Lia, Greece, Voula’s childhood was shaped by the challenges of growing up during a time of unrest across Europe. Those early experiences cultivated the strength, resilience, and deep faith that guided her throughout her life.

Her love story with her late husband, Anton A. Mandros, began when his brother showed him her photograph. Anton knew immediately that she was the one. He returned to Greece, they married, and soon afterward the couple moved to the United States to build their life together. They first settled in New York, where Voula supported her husband’s early business ventures while raising their three children. A visit to Newport, Rhode Island, convinced them to make the city their permanent home. There they established the landmark A1 Pizza, which became a beloved part of the local community.

Voula’s Greek Orthodox faith was central to her life. An active member of her church, she found joy in Greek community gatherings, where she danced tirelessly and warmly socialized with everyone around her. Though Greek was her primary language, she learned English through daily conversation, delighting friends and family with her charming accent and humorous phrases such as “I love you. Me too.”

Voula and Anton created a lively, welcoming home filled with food, family, and friends. Their doors were always open for cookouts, parties, Sunday dinners, and frequent visits from loved ones. Even if guests insisted they were not hungry, Voula would insist on cooking for them. She loved tending her garden and relaxing in her sunroom among her plants. She helped raise her daughter Angie’s children and became affectionately known as “Yiayia Voula” to many. She embraced not only her own family but also her children’s and grandchildren’s friends, creating lasting memories as the proud Greek matriarch.

She treasured traveling with her family to Cape Cod and New York, where her children, nieces, and friends shared countless joyful memories. She and Anton were frequent visitors to Florida, eventually purchasing a home there where they spent winters, forming new friendships and continuing to create cherished moments. In her later years, one of her greatest joys was helping to raise her great-granddaughter Zoe, whose bond with her brought Voula immense happiness.

Paraskevi was preceded in death by her parents, Apostoli and Kalliopi Giavoyanni; her beloved husband, Anton A. Mandros; and her loving daughter, Angelica Mandros.

She is survived by her sons, Joannis Mandros and Arthur Mandros and his wife Maria; her granddaughters, Alexandria Farias and Carissa Kennedy and her husband Brian Kennedy Jr.; and her cherished great-granddaughter, Zoe Kalliopi Kennedy, along with many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her warmth, generosity, and love.

Voula’s life was guided by faith, love, and devotion to family. May her memory be eternal.