Paraskevi Mandros

Paraskevi "Voula" Mandros, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and the beloved heart of her family's home, passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and unconditional love.

Voula was born in the mountains of Greece in the small village of Lia. Her childhood was shaped by the challenges of growing up during a time of unrest across Europe, experiences that helped cultivate the resilience, strength, and deep faith that would guide her throughout her life.

Her love story with her late husband, Anton A. Mandros, began in a memorable way. Introduced through a photograph shown to him by his brother, Anton saw Voula's picture and immediately knew she was the one. He returned to Greece, and soon after they were married, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in devotion and determination. Together they returned to the United States to begin building their life.

The couple first settled in New York, where Voula supported her husband in the early stages of his business ventures while lovingly raising their three children. During a visit to Newport, Rhode Island, they decided it would become their forever home. There, together they established the iconic landmark A1 Pizza,which became part of the local community.

Religion was central to Voula's life. She was deeply devoted to her Greek Orthodox faith and was an active member of her church community. She enjoyed attending gatherings and dinners within the Greek community where she would dance endlessly and socialize with everyone around her.

Voula's primary language was Greek but learned English through everyday conversations, often creating charming and humorous phrases with her distinct accent such as "I love you. Me too" that her friends fondly remember.

Voula and Anton built their home with the intention of creating a lively, welcoming place filled with food, family, and friends-and that is exactly what it became. Their home was always open. There were cookouts, parties, Sunday dinners, and frequent visits from loved ones. No matter the circumstance, even if you insisted you weren't hungry, Voula would still cook something for you.

She loved spending time outdoors tending to her garden and relaxing in her sunroom, filled with plants that she took pleasure in attending. She assisted in raising her daughter, Angie 's children. Voula soon became known to many as "Yiayia Voula." She embraced not only her own family but also her children's and grandchildren's friends, creating lasting memories as the proud Greek matriarch of her family.

Voula also treasured traveling with her family, often bringing them to Cape Cod and New York, where her children, nieces, and many friends shared countless memories together. She and Anton were frequent visitors to Florida, eventually purchasing a home where they spent their winters, building new friendships and continuing to create joyful memories.

In her later years, one of Voula's greatest joys was helping to raise her great-granddaughter, Zoe. The bond they shared brought her immense happiness, and every winter spent together in Florida became another treasured chapter in their family story.

Paraskevi was preceded in death by her parents, Apostoli and Kalliopi Giavoyanni; her beloved husband, Anton A. Mandros; and her loving daughter, Angelica Mandros.

She is survived by her sons, Joannis Mandros and Arthur Mandros and his wife Maria; her granddaughters, Alexandria Farias and Carissa Kennedy and her husband Brian Kennedy Jr.; and her cherished great-granddaughter, Zoe Kalliopi Kennedy, along with many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her warmth, generosity, and love.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 15, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 16 at 11:00 AM at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 309 Thames St., Newport.

Voula's life was guided by faith, love, and devotion to family. May God grant her eternal rest, and may her memory forever be a blessing to those who loved her.

Αιωνία η μνήμη - May her memory be eternal.

And in the heart of her beloved great-granddaughter Zoe, Yiayia Voula's love, warmth, and stories will live on for generations to come.