Nola Stasine Petropoulos

Nola Stasine (Tseffos) Petropoulos, age 94, passed away at home in the tender care of Hospice and her son Bill (LaMont Prospect). She was preceded in death by her brothers Nicholas and Theodore Tseffos, and her husband of 58 years, Zoy Petropoulos. Nola is survived by her sister Bea (Tom) Loumos, her children Bill Petropoulos, Peter (Vera) Petropoulos, Valerie (Brian) Cook, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Nola was born in Athens, Greece, on July 2, 1927, daughter of Basilios (Bill) and Moschoula Tseffos who emmigrated from Greece to live and work in Racine. They owned and operated their bakery, the Washington Bread Company. Like many children, she worked in her family business. Among the many family stories she would tell was a personal one about sneaking out in the evenings to listen to the nuns sing vespers in the convent across the street. She had a part in a play that the church sponsored, called “The Mother-In-Law,' playing one of the suitors, the one who did not win the bride-to-be. The play was so well received in the Racine community that it was also performed in Milwaukee. Always a top-notch student, graduated from Horlick High school with a letter in athletics, along with the pins that adorned it, for gymnastics, tennis, swimming, and others we cannot recall. On July 20, 1947, at the Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church she was united in marriage to Zoy Petropoulos. Being a baker's daughter she excelled in cooking and baking. At holiday time she prepared sumptuous feasts for friends and family. Nola was devoted to her church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, was a member of the Philoptochos society, and a counselor at the church camp in Lake Geneva. In 1961 Zoy & Nola embarked on their new business, Rees Travel and operated the business for 35 years. It was one of the first travel agencies that specialized in commercial travel, and local success led them to open Executive Travel in Milwaukee. She was a travel agent, guide and counselor, and an avid traveler. Nola often recalled Rio de Janeiro, when she visited the statue of “Christ the Redeemer,” situated atop Mount Corcovado. The statue stands with arms wide open to greet you; there is a beautiful chapel at the base. The cable car ride is breath-taking. The statue is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Other international travels included Tunisia, Japan and Ireland, and yes, she kissed the Blarney Stone. During a most memorable trip to Greece, she visited the Parthenon atop the Acropolis one evening, as a gigantic full moon rose from behind the mountains. The ancient building seemed to come to life in the silvery glow of the moonlight.

Visitation is at Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 S. Green Bay Rd, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 9 am to 10 am, followed by the funeral service at 10 am with Fr. John Ketchum officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Due to public health concerns during the covid pandemic, there will be no luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church or St. Croix Hospice Services.