Pauline Costa Hartofelis

Pauline Costa Hartofelis went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 14, 2012.She was born in Raleigh on July 20, 1925, the second of Helen and Harry Costas seven children.She graduated from Hugh Morson High School in 1943. During her teenage years, she and her siblings worked at their parents downtown Raleigh restaurant, The City Sandwich Shop.She married George Hartofelis, her husband of 42 years, in 1951.After military travels took them to Turkey and Alabama, they returned to Raleigh, where she lived the remainder of her life.In 1986, she retired from the State of North Carolina where she served the majority of her 30 years as the administrative assistant to the NC State Librarian. It was there that she made many of her lasting friendships.She was an excellent typist, even though she never had the luxury of using a computer.She was also a life-long member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. As a mother, she was very nurturing to her immediate and extended family.She was an excellent cook who set the bar so high that none of her children have been able to duplicate her best dishes, no matter how many times they observed her in action.She loved to cook, and many a Sunday lunch will be remembered by children and grandchildren alike.Being with her family and extended family brought many smiles to her face, although trying to capture that smile in a photograph proved to be one of the familys great challenges.Watching her beloved Atlanta Braves on television also brought her great joy, especially when she was joined by her sister, Margaret, during their many sleepovers.Dale Murphy was her all-time favorite player.She was also a fan of country music.She was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Harry; her husband, George; brothers, Johnny, Gus and George, and sister Diamond.She is survived by two sisters, Alyce Karahalios (Claire) of Martinez, CA, and Margaret Vassilion of Raleigh.She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Nick and Adele Hartofelis, Harry and Cathy Hartofelis, Elaine and Don Buckey, and John and Terri Hartofelis. In addition, she leaves six granddaughters, Cameron and Rachel Hartofelis, Stephanie Osborne (Todd) of Wilmington, Kim Barrett (Charles) of New Bern, and Carson and Natalie Hartofelis. She also had one great-granddaughter, Tinsley Osborne.She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.Our family would like to thank the staff and especially the caregivers at Falls River Assisted Living and Hospice of Wake County for the respect and loving care they gave our mother.We will be forever grateful. Visitation will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, January 16th.A Trisagion service will be at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Leadmine Road in Raleigh at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17th, followed by a coffee hour and visitation until 8:30 p.m.The funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday, January 18th at 3:00 p.m., followed by her interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or Hospice of Wake County.