Elli Niforatos

Elli Niforatos of Roscoe, NY, a homemaker and a long time area resident died suddenly Wednesday April 20, 2016 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, NY. She was 85.

The daughter of the late Aristidis and Maria Tsoutsouras Statiroudis, she was born January 1, 1931 in Volos, Greece.

Some of you knew Elli as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, and a friend, or simply as "YiaYia." She was a considerate, loving, selfless, nurturing, genuine and compassionate woman, always caring for her family. She never complained about anything and always had good things to say about people. She was a woman of God, a strict believer of the Greek Orthodox religion. She was a phenomenal cook! She loved cooking, baking, knitting and crocheting. More than anything, she loved seeing her family come together. YiaYia had so many stories to tell. In her earlier years in Greece, she worked with her best friend in a small building next to the local church, knitting sweaters and pullovers for men and women. She left Greece in 1958 and her first stop was Montreal, Canada, where she worked with furriers, sewing furs. In 1959 she came to the United States, where she met her husband, Stavros, in Newark, NJ. They married in 1960, and soon after she became a proud American citizen. She always used to say "God Bless America!" She worked side by side with her husband, building a business, working in lunch trucks. She prepared all the food in advance, and Stavros would take the lunch trucks out to local factories. They worked very hard together to make a living and support their family. In 1969, Stavros bought the Roscoe Diner. They moved to Roscoe, NY in 1971, with their two children, Maria and Tasse, and she lived in Roscoe ever since then. In 1986, Stavros and Elli built the Blue Horizon Diner in Monticello, NY. She loved visiting the Blue Horizon, where everyone knew her as "YiaYia." She was a strong, independent, and wise woman. She was a proud mother and grandmother; she thought her greatest legacy was her children and grandchildren. She lit up the room with her smile and laughter. She was perfect in every respect; her laugh, her smile, and her big hugs and kisses will be missed by all.

Survivors include her husband, Stavros "Steve" Niforatos, at home; one daughter, Maria Kyprianou of Monticello, NY; one son, Anastasios "Tasse" Niforatos and his wife Cheri of Roscoe, NY; four grandchildren, Elli Kyprianou of Monticello, NY, Stavros Niforatos of Roscoe, NY, Athena Niforatos of Roscoe, NY and Anastasia Niforatos of Roscoe, NY; two sisters, Nafsika Kakkalis of Newark, NJ and Katina Mavromatis of Volos, Greece; one brother, Kostas Statiroudis of Bloomfield, NJ; one sister-in-law, Maria Pollatos of Long Island, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law, John Kyprianou.

Visitation will be Monday, April 25, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Harris Funeral Home Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 11 AM in the St. Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church, St. Gerasimos Drive, Roscoe, NY. Father Fitzpatrick will officiate.

Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe, NY.

Memorial contributions in Elli's name may be made to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery, 100 Anawanda Lake Road, Roscoe, NY 12776.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe, NY (607)-498-4929 or (845)-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com