Fotini C. Cassimus

Fotini C. Cassimus of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away peacefully on July 28th, 2024 at the age of 100. Born on December 24th, 1923, in the village of Afra on the island of Corfu, Greece, Fotini was one of five children to George and Theodora Nakos. In April of 1950 she married Chris Cassimus, of Erikousa, Greece, and immigrated to the United States, where she and Chris settled in Birmingham, Alabama. Chris and Fotini had two sons, Gregory and Marcus. They moved from Birmingham to Denver, Colorado where they lived for many years and were members of the Assumption Cathedral. After retirement, Chris and Fotini moved back to Birmingham.

In both Denver and Birmingham, Fotini was an accomplished seamstress, working for Macy's in the alterations department. One of her favorite things to do was to take her children and grandchildren shopping at Macy's. Fotini showed her love through food; her dinner tables were filled with traditional Greek dishes and delicious loaves of homemade bread. She also baked a mean sweet bread and sadly never entered an avgolemono-making contest.

In 1982, Fotini became a grandmother, a Yiayia for the first time. Her husband Chris passed away in 1986 in Birmingham, where Fotini remained until 2003, when she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to be closer to her son Marcus and his family. She worked at the Hello Deli Sandia Prep cafeteria where the school children fondly called her "Yiayia." In her later years, she consistently surprised her family with her strength, candor and by dancing the kalamatiano at weddings. She was a member of Philoptochos and the Daughters of Penelope. Her faith was always at the forefront in her life.

Fotini is survived by her sons, Gregory (Michelle) and Marcus (Maria), her six grandchildren, Chris Gregory (Blair), Chris Marcus (Morgan), Paul, Angela (John), Marcus (Lindsey) and Christine, her five great-grandchildren, Marilyn, Jacob, Marcus, Dan and Nico, one sister, Aliki, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of CareFree Living for the excellent care they provided. They went over and beyond.

Trisagion services will be held in Albuquerque, NM at French Mortuary Wyoming on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, at 6:45pm. Her funeral and final resting place will be in Birmingham, Alabama, next to her husband Chris. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Albuquerque and Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Birmingham.