Despina (Pakitsas) Neofotistos passed away peacefully in the company of her loving family on Thursday, January 26th at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 88. Born in Nikaia, Greece, she was the daughter of the late Dimitrios and Kalliopi Pakitsas.
With seven children, in 1970, Despina and her husband came to the United States and settled in Somerville. She worked hard to raise her family and provide the best she could for them. She worked at the Central Hospital in Somerville for several years, but mostly she was dedicated to her family. She loved to cook and invited family and friends to delicious meals. She always stayed close to her children and especially her grandchildren. It was often said that anyone who met her loved her.
The beloved wife of the late Ioannis Neofotistos, Despina was a devoted mother to Christopher Kepentzis and his wife Sevasti of Shirley, Ekaterini Vidianos and her husband Aris of Brighton, Kalliopi Kyridis of Billerica and her late Husband Peter, Irene Albino of Somerville, Anthee Vovolis and her husband Sotirios of Billerica, Maria Garcia and her husband Oscar of Tewksbury, and Mike Neofotistos and his fiancée, Sue Davis of Georgetown. Despina leaves her loving grandchildren: George, John, Sotiria, Thespina, Christopher, Anastasia, Stephanie, Kimberly, Kosta, John, Christiana, Anthony, Christina and her late grandson Adam Kepentzis. She also leaves her 14 great grandchildren and her dear brother Theodoros Pakitsas. She is predeceased by her five brothers and sisters and is lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday, February 3 in the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Greek Orthodox Church, 29 Central St., Somerville at 10 AM. Please gather at church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Thursday from 4 – 8 PM.