Demetra (Chagaruly) Yotides, 96, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, July 3, 2023 in her home in Dartmouth, MA.
Born in New Bedford on November 11, 1926, she was the last surviving child of George K. and Catherine (Fountas) Chagaruly, Greek immigrants from Sellasia and Serveika Greece respectively.
She was married to her husband Thomas Yotides on November 16, 1952 and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together in 2017. Demetra lived in Waterville, Maine for several years prior to settling her young family in the greater New Bedford area. She retired as a lunch room cashier from New Bedford High School where she extended her generosity and quick wit to hundreds of youth in the local school system. Dee and her husband were avid travelers, most regularly cross-country explorations with family and friends in tow. She also enjoyed many trips to Greece visiting the country and her family members who still reside there.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and sisters Maria Nanopoulos, Theodora George, Evangeline Baptiste, Helen Caradimos, and Selestia Pechonis and her brother Constantine Chagaruly. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Bradley LePage.
Survivors to continue her eternal memory include her children: Dino T. Yotides (Vicky) of Purchase, NY, and Tina Marie LePage of Dartmouth; her four grandchildren: Christopher LePage (Elena), Tara LePage (Sam), Catherine Schaetzle (Jeff), and Christina Yotides (fiancé Joe Guido), as well as four great grandchildren: Aiden and Zoe LePage, Demetra Forgue and Stefanos Schaetzle.
Across these generations, and together with nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends, are countless memories to treasure of Dee's life lessons, laughs, and famous scoldings! And of the many titles she held over the course of her life, her promotion to "Big" Yiayia was her most cherished - and the first to truly measure up to the impact she made on all those she touched for so many years.
She was a lifelong member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Dartmouth where donations can be made in her honor, in lieu of flowers.
Visitation with the family is scheduled for Tuesday July 11th from 9-10 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth, with funeral services immediately following at 10 AM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.