Elizabeth "Lee" Lantas

Newport, NH - Elizabeth “Lee” Lantas died peacefully in Exeter, New Hampshire on January 12, 2021 at the age of ninety-three.

Lee was born in Newport, New Hampshire to Evangelos T. Lantas and Vaia (Gokas) Lantas, who had immigrated from the Meteora region of Kastraki, Greece. She lived in Newport for most of her life, growing up in the large Greek community that made their homes on Sunapee Street when it was a melting pot for many immigrant families.

After graduating from Towle High School in 1945, Lee moved to West Virginia for a brief time, then returned to Newport and began a lifetime career at in the main office of Door Woolen Mill, where she oversaw payroll and other administrative work.
Lee was a lifelong parishioner of the St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She was honored by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for her dedication.

She is remembered by her family and friends as a gentle and kind woman who loved to be busy. As a craftsperson, she created gorgeous crocheted and knitted items and hooked rugs. She was an avid bowler, line dancer, and bingo player, and many of her nieces and nephews recall her teaching them the card games she loved to play. Earlier in her life she enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing and traveling locally and internationally with family and friends.

Lee was predeceased by her parents; her brother Thomas; twin brothers William and Aleck and Aleck’s wife, Leola, and their three children; sister Cleopatra “Pat” Praded and her husband, Anthony “Tony” among other close family members.

She is survived by her sister Elaine Alexiou and her husband, James, of Irvine, California; their children Stephanie Hubbard (Nate Hubbard) of Manhattan Beach, California and Thomas Alexiou of Edmuinds, Washington; her niece Shelley Jenis (Philip Jenis) of Manchester, New Hamphsire and their children; her niece Joni Praded (John Reynolds) and her son; and many great nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins who remember her fondly.

There will be no calling hours due to the coronavirus. A virtual funeral service will be held on Friday January 15, 2021 at 1PM.  There will be a time to share memories and visit immediately following the service.  To attend virtually, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82976563856

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.newtonbartlett.com.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Genesis Healthcare in Exeter, New Hampshire, where Lee spent her final days, as well as Compassionate Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 45 Winter St., Newport, N.H. 03773.

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