Chelmsford, MA – Harriet Moskovites DeTora, 86, Chelmsford, MA passed on Friday, August 21 after a long period of declining health.
She was the daughter of the late George Moskovites and the late Stavroula (Vlahakis) Moskovites.
She attended the Lowell Pawtucket, Bartlett schools graduating from Lowell High and Lowell Commercial Business School. She was employed by the Boston Navy Yard during World War II and was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the Secretary of Defense for her service. Prior to her retirement from K-Mart as a Dept. Supervisor, she was employed by Lowell Uniform and the first woman appointed as a manager in the Giant Store New England outlet chain.
This was a series of firsts for Mrs. DeTora: She was the first woman elected to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church board serving as Secretary and Treasurer. She served the church community most of her life; taught Sunday School, choir member for 35 of those years, member of the Council of Churches; elected President and the offices of Secretary and Treasurer of the Holy Trinity Philoptohos Society. As a result of her hard work and tireless devotion to the church and Greek-American community caring for the sick and poor, she was awarded the Diocese Laity Award from Bishop Methodios, Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston.
She took pride in her Hellenic Heritage promoting the culture through her membership and service in the community. She was elected President of the Pan Laconian Sparta Society, served as Secretary, Treasurer and delegate of the local chapter and Supreme Secretary of the U.S.A., national chapter. She was presented an award for 50 years of dedicated service from State Senator Steve Panagiotakos during the chapter’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
She was also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Sparta, Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA), Daughters of Penelope (AHEPA); where she held the office of Recording Secretary; an alumnus of the Hellenic American School and served as a volunteer for the Chelmsford Senior Center for many years after her retirement until her illness prevented her from further service.
She also served in the political campaigns for Lowell City Councilor Ellen Sampson, Congressman Paul Tsongas and Governor Mike Dukakis.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah DeTora, who provided her with unwavering love and care throughout her illnesses. She is also survived by her brother Dr. John Moskovites of Silver Springs, MD, a sister-in-law, Annette McGlaughlin of Vero Beach, FL, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, special friends, neighbors, wonderful staff members and volunteers of the Lowell VNA who showed her warmth, care and compassion.
She is pre-deceased by her husband, John Peter DeTora , a sister Patricia Mellonakos and brother-in-law Vincent McGlaughlin.
Friends and relatives will be received at the M. R. LAURIN FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St, Lowell on Monday from 4pm to 8pm. Her funeral will take place from the Funeral Home on Tuesday at 9am to be followed by a funeral service at the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church in Lowell at 10am. Interment to follow in Westlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church. Lewis St., Lowell, 01854, VNA Hospice of Greater Lowell, 336 Central St., Lowell, MA 01852 or the Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill St., Reading, MA 01867.