Sophia Karnavezos

February 12, 1931 ~ March 6, 2025

Sophia Karnavezos passed away on March 6, 2025. Born in Kapsia, Greece, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Magdalene Chionilos on February 12, 1931.

She grew up on a farm, with her beloved brother, George, and would often speak of the fun-filled childhood they had. The brutal German Invasion of Greece interrupted that sense of innocence of their bucolic environment. They lived through the horrors of war, but that only made Sophia more determined to find a better life.

Her parents sent her to live with her uncle in Newburgh in the fifties, and she quickly realized the US was her home. She made life-long friendships with Elaine, Angie, Penny and Dimi. They did everything together until she returned to Greece to marry her beloved husband of 69 years, Peter. They struggled when they immigrated to the US, but with their strength and determination, they persevered.

Tom and Nick were born when they had little to offer them but love and protection. Raising two impetuous boys was a challenge she mastered with grace, humor and a wooden soup spoon. When she wielded the Spoon, "Tha fas xilo" was a threat that wasn't taken lightly. She also had "The Look" which let her boys know, unequivocally, to stop or face the consequences.

Sophia didn't like to sit idly, so while Peter worked and the boys were in school, she worked at her relatives' businesses in Newburgh, The French Pastry and Penelope's Dress Shop to make extra money to help support the family. Later on, she worked with her good friend, Angelika Patsis at SUNY New Paltz Science Dept.

Sophia was the best cook, who had little time for recipes. Trying to get her to share her recipes was an exercise in futility, because that wasn't her way. There was always a palm full of this or a little bit of that, which could not be quantified.

Her love for her two sons paled in comparison to her love for her four grandchildren, whom she adored. They were everything to Yia Yia and her face lit up whenever they were around. Then, to her great delight, her great-granddaughter was born and she cherished the time she had with her.

She treasured the fact that she and Papou had their extended family on the Karnavezos Compound. Family gatherings were a short walk away and her grandchildren were always around to brighten her day.

A skilled card player, Sophia loved playing Conquian with her ladies from church, while the husbands played poker. The group of Greek friends met nearly every Saturday night to play cards, eat delicious snacks and laugh…a lot! She was introduced to Bridge later in life, and she couldn't wait for Thursday Bridge. She loved spending time with her Bridge Ladies.

Sophia was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, chef, card shark, gardener extraordinaire, choir member, and a friend. She truly enjoyed having company and always had delicious baked goods out to everyone's delight.

Sophia had many dear friends. She was a loving person who didn't show it in hugs and kisses, but she showed it in her joy and her coy smile. She developed additional loving friendships with people during each decade of her life. She loved people and people loved her. Even during her last few days, she developed a fondness for Patty, the woman who assisted her until she went into the hospital.

After the loss of her beloved husband, Peter, Sophia returned home from rehab for a broken hip and argued that she could still drive. She was an excellent driver who, much to the surprise of anyone who drove with her never got a speeding ticket. Her sons gave her the nickname Mario Andretti for her atypical grandma-like driving style.

Sophia is predeceased by her husband, Peter and her parents.

Sophia is survived by her brother George Chionilos and partner Jeanette Staats, her sons, Tom(Andrea) and Nick(Carla), her grandchildren, Sophia Jonisz(Erik), Pano(Alyssa), Nickolas(Greer) Andonia(Brian) and  her great-granddaughter, Magdalyn. She is also survived by her goddaughter, Clio Hatziyannakis and godson, Ernie Jacobs.

Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 11 from 4 - 7 PM. A funeral service will take place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 AM followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.