Agapi (Parousis) Evangelou, 91, of Shrewsbury died peacefully Wednesday, May 3rd at home surrounded by her loving family. She leaves her husband of 72 years, Ioannis Evangelou; her children, Anastasia Rudich of Shrewsbury, Fred Evangelou and his wife, Rhonda of Nashua, NH, Demetroula Dalapera and her husband, Andreas of Athens, Greece, Helen Evengelou of Shrewsbury, and Alexia Forhan and her husband, Daniel of Shrewsbury; nine grandchildren, Rhonda, Tara, Alethea, Alex, Samantha, Jonathan, Nicolette, Joanna, and Hailey; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was born in Vavouri, Epirus, Greece daughter of Xenophone and Demetroula (Papaioanniou) Parousis and immigrated to the United States in 1959. Ioannis and Agapi were inseparable for 72 years. They shared a source of bonded love and support that always anchored them and their family.
Agapi was a member of St. Spryidon Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, and most of all raising her beloved family including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She worked as a seamstress for many years. In 1968, she owned and operated John’s Pizza in Worcester for 25 years. The neighborhood knew her as Ma, where she fed the neighborhood kids special sandwiches after school. Everyone knew her as the most loving and caring person.
Her happiest times were spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whom she loved more than anything in the world. We will forever miss our beloved “Yia-Yia Api” and our lives will never be the same without her presence. We shall always remember her and she will always have a place in our hearts.
Her funeral is Wednesday, May 10th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester with a service at 11:00 a.m. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday, May 9th from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.