Angeliki "Kiki" Varunes was born on April 12, 1937 in Paleopanagia, a small village of Sparta, Greece.  She passed away on October 12, 2018, in her home, surrounded by her loving family, koumbaroi, and friends.  Kiki was a loving, nurturing, and strong-minded mother and grandmother who was known to voice her opinions in her own kind and assertive manner.  She tempered that strength with love and hospitality.  Kiki never let anyone leave her home without making sure they had enough to eat.

This strength was shaped early on in her life by WWII and the following civil war in Greece.   In 1958, she met her beloved husband Stratis (also known as Charlie) who predeceased her in 2015.  When Kiki came to the U.S. she could not speak English and knew only her beloved husband.  Soon after she forged many long-lasting friendships with numerous baptized godchildren, whom she loved and  treated like her own children.  She was blessed and survived by three children, Elaina, Anita and Nicholas, a son-in-law (Dr. Fotios Papadimitrakopoulos, married to Anita) and a daughter-in-law (DeAnn Seymour Varunes, married to Nicholas). She was overjoyed when her family grew with three grandchildren Stratis and Socrates born to Nicholas and DeAnn, and Lukas born to Anita and Foti.   Her three grandsons brought so much happiness to her life that she often wept with joy when she was with them.  Kiki's legacy will remain forever in the beautiful memories, hearts and (appetites) of those fortunate enough to know her love, encouragement and heartfelt advice, religious sacraments, good company and great friendships.  Kiki raised her family and spent thousands of hours supporting her beloved St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hartford and the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the philanthropic branch of the church.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 18, at 11:30 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford.  Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.  Calling hours will be on Wednesday, October 17, from 4:00- 8:00 PM, with a Trisayion Service at 5:30 PM, at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield. In lieu of Flowers, donations may be sent in loving memory of Angeliki "Kiki" to the  St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06114.  Please click the 'View/Sign Guest Book' link above to share a memory with the family.