Frances Christopher

Frances Maistrou Christopher, 94, of 11 Lincoln Street, Newport, RI, died surrounded by her family on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI.She was the wife of the late Stelios "Steve" Christopher. Born in Trigona, Mytilene, Greece, on February 27, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Gregory and Mergina Maistrou.Mrs. Christopher came to the U.S. in December 1939, immigrating to Boston first, then moving to Newport in 1941. She was a member of St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Church, an active member of the Philoptohos Society at St. Spyridon's and participated in many of their events. Mrs. Christopher was a great crotchetier, skilled at tatting, and loved knitting. Frances enjoyed tending to her vegetable garden, a joy she brought with her from her childhood in Greece. She loved cooking and baking, and used her skills to bake the bread for church services. Mrs. Christopher was a never ending source of energy.She is survived by her son Chris Christopher of Newport, RI, her daughters Irene Menas and her husband George of Newport, RI and Mersina Christopher and her husband Kenneth Walsh of Middletown, RI, her sister Sampho Psihogio of Trigona, Greece, two grandchildren Francine Menas of Nashua, NH and Marianne Menas and her husband Gilbert Soares of Newport, RI, two great grandchildren, Christos Soares and Eleni Soares; and many nieces and nephews all around the globe.Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 25, 2008, at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with funeral service at 10:00 am in St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport. Burial will be in Middletown Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2008, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home.Donations in her memory may be made to St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840.