Eftichia Antoniadis

HAVERHILL - John 16:22 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.”.

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, with her loving son Athanasios by her side, Eftichia “Effie” Antoniadis (née Tolios), 91, was called home by God where she now rests in peace, reunited with her husband Nikolaos and youngest son Vasilios.

Eftichia was born on October 6, 1931 in the village of Agios Kosmas, Greece. She and her two brothers Christos and Theodore enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Trikala. After WWII during the Greek Civil War, Eftichia, then a stunningly beautiful teen, was forced to go into hiding in the woods to avoid being captured by the Communist Guerrillas. Years later in Trikala, Eftichia was introduced to a young man named Nikolaos Antoniadis, who was to become her husband through an arranged marriage. As luck would have it, as soon as they laid eyes upon each other, Effie and Nick fell madly in love, and were married in 1958. Eftichia gave birth to two sons, Athanasios and Vasilios, whom she adored and doted upon constantly. The family immigrated to the US in 1967 where they settled in Haverhill, Massachusetts and have resided there ever since.

Eftichia  was first employed for four years by Eastern Canvas, a factory which manufactured duffel bags, boots and other supplies for the military. She then began a successful career with AT&T spanning two decades and was the recipient of several honors and awards during her employ. Eftichia was a devoted member of Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church where she enjoyed attending services and participating in numerous church-sponsored events along with her extended family and many friends .

An incredible cook, Eftichia  was well-known both back in Trikala as well as in Haverhill for her special talent: she could roll out the thinnest phyllo dough around  which she then used for making her trademark Greek pitas! But anyone who truly knew Eftichia also knew that her greatest joy came from her beloved grandchildren; Yiayia Effie would do anything for them! There was nothing she enjoyed more than being able to spend time together with them playing, talking and cooking an infinite array of mouthwatering meals and desserts especially for them to enjoy. And enjoy them, they did (as did all of their friends)!

Eftichia leaves behind her devoted and loving son, Dr. Athanasios Antoniadis and his wife Deborah Antoniadis of Bay Shore, NY,  her daughter in-law JoAnn Antoniadis of Haverhill, MA, her grandchildren Nicole McWain and her husband Kory McWain, Kaitlyn Antoniadis, Sophia Regan and husband Kevin Regan and Nicholas Antoniadis as well as her two great-granddaughters, Eliana McWain and Isabella Regan. She also leaves her dear brother Theodore “Ted” Tolios and his wife Erato Tolios and many adored nieces and nephews. Eftichia would often exclaim that her beloved nieces, Noula Thibault (Tolios) and Dena Papanikolaou (Tolios) were just like daughters to her and like little sisters to her two sons. Eftichia was predeceased by her parents, Vasilios Tolios and Agni Tolios (Lazos), her beloved husband Nikolaos Antoniadis, her dear brother Christos Tolios and her cherished son, Vasilios “Billy” Antoniadis.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 5, in Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 156 Winter Street, Haverhill from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Services will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Luncheon in Eftichia’s honor will be held immediately following the cemetery at Maria’s Family Restaurant in the The Galleria Banquet Room, 81 Essex Street, Haverhill, MA. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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