Sophie Sotir

Sophie (Pavlo) Sotir, age 89, passed away peacefully in her Walpole, Massachusetts home, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Peabody, Massachusetts on February 22, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John and Antonetta (Rafael) Pavlo.

Sophie was raised in the St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Parish and her family’s life revolved around the Church.  Whether it was Greek School in the afternoon, choir practice. or attending liturgy, she and her sisters and brother were there.  She had a beautiful voice.  She was very faithful and her home was full of icons and prayer books.

Together with Arthur, she raised her three children to be faithful, and respectful, with good manners.  She and Arthur led an active social life with long time friends.  Ever the consummate hostess, their house was the gathering spot before going to dinner, a show, or dancing.  They always took their kids to restaurants, near and far for an adventure.  They had a lot of fun family vacations. 

In the early 1970’s, she went back to work as a dental hygienist, and she finished her career at Drs. Miller, Heggerick and Noel’s office in Weston, where she ran the front desk with skill and charisma.  She loved her career and she met a lot of local celebrities, sports figures, senators, and authors.  They all loved Sophie.  She made the drive from Walpole to Weston until she retired at age 78.

Sophie loved great food.  She was an adventurous cook and everyone loved her food.  After her stroke in 2019, when she could no longer use her right hand, she would spend hours reading cookbooks and magazines for new recipes that she would pass on to her girls to make for her.  Her nieces and nephews will attest to the fact that her mashed potatoes and gravy were the best.

She always looked forward to annual trips to Florida with her daughters, Susan and Pamela.  All she needed was a veranda with a nice view, great shops, and restaurants nearby.  And wherever she went, from Florida to Napa, someone would recognize her and call out her name. Steven got to experience this when he took her to Saratoga Springs.

Sophie loved having a good time with her children and sons-in-law.  After Arthur passed away in 2014, they were fortunate to spend many Friday nights at their favorite spot, Davios.  Everyone was always happy to see her when she walked through the door and countless people would tell her how fortunate she was that her kids wanted to spend so much time with her so she must have done something right. 

The light of her life was her only grandchild, Drew.  He brought her so much joy, up until the very end.  He would bring breakfast and an iced coffee to her on Saturdays and they both cherished that time together.  She was most proud of Drew’s years being an Altar server at Church.  She was able to watch him every week from her home and would get tears of joy in her eyes.

The family would like to thank West River Hospice in Needham, and her caregivers, Michelle and Jane.  May God bless them all.

Beloved wife of the late Arthur G. Sotir.

Loving mother of Susan Denn and her husband, Michael, Steven Sotir, and Pamela Beaudet and her husband, Andrew, all of Walpole.

Cherished grandmother of Drew Beaudet of Walpole.

Sister of Arthur Pavlo and his wife Maria, of Peabody, the late Dorothy Tsouvalas, and the late Pavlina Pavlo.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Sophie's visitation at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown Street, Weston on Monday, March 27, 2023 from 10 to 11 AM.  A Funeral Service will follow in the church at 11:00 AM.  Interment will take place in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sophie's name may be made to the Icon Fund at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown Street, Weston, MA 02493.