Chrysanthe (Chryssa) Pantazopoulos

Chrysanthe (Chryssa) Pantazopoulos – Salem, NH

Chrysanthe (Chryssa) Pantazopoulos, 83, of Salem, NH, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 4th, 2024, with her loving family by her side after battling vascular dementia for several years.

She is survived by her son John Pantazopoulos and predeceased recently by his late wife, Nancy Pantazopoulos, her daughter, Kathy Coufos with her husband, Stephan Coufos, along with beloved grandchildren; George & Chrysanthe Pantazopoulos; Panos Coufos; and Chrisanthe (Coufos) Garilas and her husband James Garilas.

She was also predeceased by her husband of 57 years, George J. Pantazopoulos, parents Elias and Fotini (Katsikopoulos) Vlahos of Rafina-Athens, Greece, and her brothers, Argirios Vlahos of Germany and Ioannis Vlahos of Rafina-Athens, Greece.

Chryssa emigrated with her husband and children to Lawrence, MA, in 1969 from Greece, and lived a wonderful and productive life in the United States. She was a proud wife, mother and grandmother. Upon arrival to America she faced the challenges of learning a new language and culture while being a young wife and mother. Her husband secured lessons to learn English from a neighbor and teacher who also prepared her to pass her US citizenship exam.  Chryssa and her family became proud American citizens in 1976 when the United States celebrated its Bicentennial.

She quickly entered the job market as a professional seamstress at Greico Brothers in Lawrence, MA, an assembly operator at Parlex Corp, Methuen, MA, and worked at a local restaurant in Salem, NH.

Before moving to America she lived the exciting life of the Greek cruise ships, often accompanying her husband as ship’s radio officer, with their son, on many voyages around the world.  Although a small town girl, from her travels, she developed and refined her sense of taste, fashion and sophistication that complimented the beauty she radiated inside and out.

Chryssa, above all, was an impeccable homemaker devoted to her husband and family. She was known as second to none for her cooking expertise to create a traditional Mediterranean culinary experience that ranged from simple to lavish and healthy meals.  Her daughter Kathy and daughter-in-law Nancy, credit her for becoming excellent cooks. She was a phenomenal hostess to her family and friends. Chryssa was also blessed with a beautiful voice often singing and chanting hymns at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Andover, MA particularly during Lent. She loved music and was an exceptional dancer.

Visitation hours are on Friday, March 8th, at 9:30 AM (wake) followed by 10:30 AM  funeral at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Rd, Andover, MA 01810, followed by burial services at Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. The wake and the funeral service are both at the church, not the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, you can dedicate your donation in her name to the family’s church: Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA 01810.

Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079 is entrusted with the arrangements.  Please visit www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com to view Mrs. Pantazopoulos’ Tribute Page, or to sign the online guest book.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chrysanthe (Chryssa) Pantazopoulos, please visit our floral store.