Angeliki Vardalos Demacopoulos
In l930, Angeliki Vardalos was born to Nicholas and Antonia Vardalos in Mostitsi, a small village outside of Kalavrita. She was the oldest of eight surviving siblings. As the oldest daughter, education was not a priority and therefore she never attended a day of school. She lived through the atrocities of the German occupation during World War II and witnessed illness, famine and death. In late May 1951, her parents decided it was time for her to go to America, the promised land. It took three days for them to travel to Athens and finally Piraeus, leaving no time to go to the embassy and add money onto her passport. As Angeliki walked onto the ramp of the Nea Hellas ship liner, her mother handed her the only things she had to offer: a small suitcase of borrowed clothes, a soft loukoumi wrapped in a crisp cotton handkerchief, and her love.
On June 4, 1951, at 5’2 and 118 pounds, a shy, frail and innocent Angeliki docked at Ellis Island. She made a promise to herself never to forget where she came from. Two days later, she was on a train destined for Chicago. When asked to recount her first train ride sixty years later, she burst into unstoppable laughter: it was the first time she laid eyes on a person with black skin.
Angeliki’s strong work ethic kicked into gear within three days of arriving in Chicago. She went to work on the assembly line at Nabisco cookie factory, packed ice cream at Drexel Dairy, and dipped taffy apples at David’s Candy. She was a beautiful young woman with long shinny braids of black hair, dark brown eyes, a contagious smile and a fearless expression of passion. Although she missed her family deeply, she quickly found comfort in Greek social events at the Jane Addams Hull House on south Halsted, where she also studied for and received her United States citizenship.
In 1957, she married Constantine Demacopoulos. Fifty-four years later, they are still partners, well balanced and inseparable soul mates still in love. Together they raised four children: Georgia, Anna, Thomas and Nike. Her eight grandchildren now call her Yiayia Angie.
Growing up we always knew our mom was different, but now as adults, we realize how special she really is. To this day, everyone that eats her food always wants to come back for more. Our mom could not help us with our homework, but she taught us discipline, hard work and compassion. She never read us fairy tales, but she made sure we went to Greek school, Sunday school, GOYA, AHEPA and of course, college. She didn’t know much about Emily Post, yet she knew the value of serving family dinners with love and affection. Our mom doesn’t seek public recognition for her parenting skills, she just concentrates on passing them on to her children. Her whole life revolves around pleasing other people with her home always open and ready for “parea.”
Yiayia Angie, we love you so much and thank you for all you have taught us.
