Sophia St. Claire

Sophia (Chigas) St. Claire, 91, died Friday, October 12, 2012. She was the loving wife of the late Edward St. Claire, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. Born in Middleton on August 15, 1921, she was the daughter of Harry and Despina (Pieropolous) Chigas. She was raised and educated in Peabody and had been a Danvers resident for nearly 60 years. Sophia was employed at Sylvania during WWII while her husband was in the service. She was then employed at New England Sportswear in Peabody until her retirement in 1990. A member of St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, she was a member of the PTA, the church bible study, and the Daughters of Penelope. Sophia will be remembered for her kindness toward others, love of family, and strong faith. She is survived by her children, Sallyanne Nicholson and her husband Bill, Deborah DeMaso and her partner Bill Nicolini, Harry St. Claire and his wife Sandra, and Peter St. Claire and his wife Lisa, all of Danvers, 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Angelica Vontzalidas and Stacia Martin, both of Peabody, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Mary, Bessie, Arthur, Stephen, and Nicholas Chigas. Her Funeral Service will be Wednesday at 11AM in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 5 Paleologos Street, Peabody. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA 01923.