Anna Agretelis of Somerville, MA passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, a month shy of her 97th birthday.

Anna was born on February 15, 1928 in the village of Arhanes, Crete, Greece to her parents, Nikolaos Nisotakis and Maria Markodimitraki. She was one of six siblings including Mihalis Nisotakis, Stella Nisotakis, and Yiannis Nisotakis of Archanes, Crete and Manolis Nisotakis of Hudson, New Hampshire who have predeceased her. She is survived by her sister, Eleftheria (Nisotakis) Manetas of Disputanta, Virginia. At the age of 13 during World War II, Anna witnessed German paratroopers launch a large-scale airborne assault on her native land, leading to the Nazi occupation of Crete. Thereafter, alone and on-foot, Anna assisted with clandestine deliveries of food and supplies to resistance fighters in the mountains near her village.

At the age of 26, Anna married a Greek American, John Agretelis, by proxy. With no knowledge of the English language, she courageously traveled to America with her new husband to build a life rooted in love, family, and their Greek Orthodox faith. They shared 53 wonderful years of marriage until John’s passing in 2008, raising two children, Despina (Agretelis) Makredes and Nicholas Steven Agretelis, and eventually welcomed their spouses, Charles Makredes and Joan Margaret (Martin) Agretelis. Anna and John lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts for several years and saved up to eventually buy their first home in West Somerville, MA where Anna continued to live independently through her last year of life. Anna was a resident of Somerville for 57 years.

Anna was a devoted grandmother to five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, whom she had the pleasure of watching grow up: Maryanne (Makredes) Senna and her husband Joseph Senna (children Vera and Ana), Carolyn (Makredes) Finocchiaro and her husband Mark Finocchiaro (children Charlie, Amato, Mark), Joanne (Makredes) Salogiannis and her husband John Salogiannis (children Evyenia, George, Stratis), Steven Agretelis and his partner Kelsey Hodge, and Katerina Agretelis. She often said that her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her greatest riches.

Anna was a talented seamstress who worked at Sarah Fredericks of Newbury Street and Priscilla of Boston. Her skill and artistry were evident in the many wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses she designed and altered with care. In addition to sewing, she loved to knit, crochet, and craft. For her family and friends, Anna made clothes, blankets, costumes, dolls, home decor, and more, all of which will continue to keep her memory alive.

Anna was extraordinarily kind, generous, and devout in her Orthodox Christian faith. Her home always seemed to have the warm scents of freshly baked Greek cookies and holy incense. Every visit to see her began with her sweet smile and an offering of whatever meal was everpresently simmering on the stove. Visitors would always leave with a full belly and a sense of being deeply cared for. Her generosity and compassion extended beyond her loved ones. Anna would often look forward to receiving letters and photographs from the children that she had sponsored through the Save the Children Foundation, Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and other organizations that she thoughtfully donated to. In so many ways, Anna consistently modeled the importance of leading a Christian life.

A devout member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Anna was also active in the Philoptochos Society for many years. Through the years she volunteered her time and skills at the church in many ways, like making handicrafts for events and running the loukoumades table at the church’s festival. Anna also enjoyed traveling with her church to various countries around the world. She especially found great spiritual significance in her visit to Jerusalem.

Anna’s warmth and love touched all who knew her and left a lasting impact on her children and grandchildren who will carry on her values of faith and family. May her memory be eternal.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 14 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a funeral service to commence at 11 a.m. The interment will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown, MA. Donations may be made to the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 3, 2025.