Rose P. Stergiou

Rose (Pehlivanian) Stergiou, 99 years old passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2024.  She was a native of Harford, CT and a graduate of Hartford Public High School.

Rose married John Stergiou in 1960 and moved to Bristol, CT where her husband opened Bristol Pizza House Restaurant.  Though Rose worked at the Aetna Insurance Co in Hartford and was a proud retiree after 25 + years of devoted service, she would spend many of her weekends in the restaurant helping her husband and greeting guests.

After her beloved husband passed away in 1988, Rose and her sister Lucy Shabazian became avid members of the West Farms Mall Walkers Club. Every morning Rose would pick up her sister and go to the mall to exercise and then meet up with friends for breakfast, lively conversation and shopping.

Rose was a world traveler and had the joy of spending many summers in Greece with her husband and his extended family.  In her later years, Rose enjoyed traveling with friends and many cruise vacations with her sister and niece Susan.

Though Rose had no children of her own, she was lovingly known as "Auntie Rose" to everyone who knew her, young and old and was especially dear to her niece Susan and nephew Jay Shabazian.

Rose eventually moved to the Farmington Station-Assisted Living Community  where she enjoyed sitting outdoors in the sun, reading, bingo and playing Rummikub.  She was quite a champion Rummikub player because she beat everyone!!  While at Farmington Station, Rose was an ambassador to new residents to help them feel comfortable and welcome. She always had a smile and a hand wave for everyone she met.  She embodied gentleness, kindness, and a caring nature, along with a grateful spirit which was so very appreciated by staff and fellow residents, alike.  Rose beamed with joy by visits from family, friends and clergy.  Though more recently unable to physically attend, Rose was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's Armenian Church, New Britain, CT.

With great sadness, Rose leaves behind her loving niece Susan Shabazian and husband Michael Papelian, nephew Jay Shabazian and wife Grace, grandnieces Annmarie and husband Simon, Angela and husband Christopher, and Andrea, a great-grand niece Eleanor and a great-grand nephew Jonah, as well as, many loving cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Stephen's Armenian Church, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, CT, immediately followed by the requiem service.  Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, CT.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen's Armenian Church.  Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, New Britain, CT is in charge of arrangements.  Please contact them for further information.