Sappho Kapsounis

Sappho “Fofo” (Antoniou) Kapsounis, 93, of Dudley, Massachusetts, died on October 17, 2024, at home and surrounded by family. 

She is survived by her daughter, Helen Karamanakis, and Helen’s husband, Anastasios; her grandchildren, Alex, Jordan, and Thomas Johansen, Nate and Vanessa Mendez, and Kosta and Fotini Karamanakis; her great-grandchild, Clayton Johansen; her brother-in-law, Efstratios Kapsounis, and his wife, Georgia; her son-in-law, Paul Johansen; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and friends throughout New England, New York, Greece, and South Africa. She is predeceased by her husband, Alexandros Kapsounis; her former husband, George Vasiliadis; her daughter, Margaret Johansen, and Margaret’s husband, Natanael Mendez; her parents, Evangelos and Eleni Antoniou; and her sisters, Asteri Dafnidis, Elissavet Hatzis, and Anastasia Asimakopoulos.

Fofo was born in Athens, Greece, on November 13, 1930.  She trained as a seamstress from childhood and excelled at sewing gowns and embroidering handicrafts — some of which she even presented as gifts to members of the Greek Royal Family. She immigrated to Astoria, New York in 1963, in search of a better life.  She was married to George Vasiliadis for five years, until his death, and both his decedents and Fofo’s descendants remain close to this day.

In 1969, she married Alexandros “Aleko” Kapsounis, with whom she had two daughters, Margaret and Helen.  They eventually moved to Dudley and, together, they owned and operated Dudley House of Pizza.  Fofo and Aleko spent their summers visiting their many friends and relatives in Athens, Derveni, and Thassos, Greece — most years, accompanied by Helen, Kosta, and Fotini.  They were married for forty-six years. Fofo was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and an active member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, Massachusetts. 

She will be remembered as an affectionate mother, a wise grandmother, a devoted friend, and — above all — a caring and passionate perfectionist, who held the ones she loved to the same high standards to which she held herself.  All of us who loved her were better for it, and we will miss her very much. May her memory be eternal.  Written by her grandchildren. 

Her funeral is on Monday, October 21, with a service at 11:00 AM at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Lake Parkway, Webster.  Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester Massachusetts.  Calling hours are also on October 21, at 10:00 AM, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

The family would like to thank the caregivers who supported Fofo during her final days, especially her friend Kathy Kunkel. The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St., Webster has been entrusted with her arrangements.  A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com. where you may post a condolence or light a candle.

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