Anna Kiritsy, 100

Shrewsbury - Anna (Souliotis) Kiritsy, 100, formerly of Auburn, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in the home of her loving son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Mary Kiritsy, with her grandchildren by her side. Her husband of 53 years, Charles Paul Kiritsy, died in 1970.

Besides her son and daughter in-law, she leaves her grandchildren, Charles Kiritsy, Anna Tsitsilianos, William Kiritsy and Christopher Kiritsy; 12 great-grandchildren; and nephews and nieces. She was also the grandmother of the late Helen Kiritsy.

Born 1907 in Delvino, Greece, she was the daughter of Thomas and Athena (Economou) Souliotis. She, her mother and siblings emigrated to Worcester through Ellis Island in 1920 to join her father, who had come to Worcester in 1911.

Mrs. Kiritsy was as a homemaker for most of her years, but had also been employed by Worcester Knitting.

She was a longtime steward and one of the oldest members of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral and a member of its Ladies Philoptochos. She had a tremendous passion for gardening and was an avid photographer in her early years. She was affectionately known to her great-grandchildren as Yiayia "Birdie" for her pet parakeets that she loved for the kids to play with.

On behalf of Mrs. Kiritsy, Paul and Mary, along with the entire family, wish to express their sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to VNA Hospice Home Staff and Elder Care, Dr. Guilbert, Med City and Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation for the tremendous and remarkable assistance in caring for their mother and grandmother.

Funeral services were held Sept. 29 from the O'Connor Brothers Funeral Home of Worcester, with burial at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial donations may be made to the Family Center Building Fund at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester, MA 01609 or to Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester, MA 01606.