WILMINGTON — Anne Bakalis Pinkston, 98, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord surrounded by the love of her family at her home in Porters Neck Plantation and Country Club in Wilmington, North Carolina on May 29, 2024.
Anne’s parents, Yiasemi and Aristotelis Varellan immigrated to America from the Greek Island of Samos, where Anne’s grandfather, George Mylanas, was the mayor of the port town of Karlovasi. Anne was born on April 6, 1926 in Welch, West Virginia and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She was an exceptional student, enjoyed playing the violin and was initiated into the Maids of Athens, Junior Ladies Auxiliary, Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association).
Anne met Nicholas George Bakalis at an AHEPA event in Baltimore, Maryland and they married in Roanoke, Virginia in 1952. After their wedding, Anne and Nickie made their home in Washington, DC where they raised their children, Debra and George. While living in Washington, Anne was a member of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral and an active member of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in which she was a dedicated servant for over 60 years. She was also a member of the Daughters of Penelope, Order of AHEPA Senior Auxiliary. Anne and Nickie enjoyed hosting neighbors and family at their home and family outings to Redskins games at RFK Stadium where they had season tickets for many years. During Anne’s 25 years of marriage to Nickie, he often told her affectionately “you’re my everything.” She was heartbroken when Nickie passed away at age 49 after a heart attack.
Several years later, a widowed Anne met Francis Burton Pinkston who also was widowed. Anne and Frank married at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC in 1982. After the sadness of losing their spouses, they shared 42 years of happiness together as sweethearts. Anne and Frank traveled the world together, visiting Europe, Hawaii and Alaska. Anne enjoyed spending summers at Wrightsville Beach. In 1995, Anne and Frank moved from Washington to Wilmington. While living in Wilmington, Anne was a member of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the Ladies Philoptochos Society and Porters Neck Country Club, where she and Frank had an active social life and enjoyed monthly gatherings with their neighborhood cocktail group. Frank and Anne shared a mutual love and respect for each other and an unwavering devotion until Anne’s last breath.
Anne’s greatest joy was her family. Fondly known as “Yiayia” to her grandchildren and “Yiayia Yiayia” to her great grandchildren, she will live in their hearts forever as the “Queen of the Family”. Anne created countless memories, often around a table laden with whole fish, spanakopita and lamb and always brimming with the love of two, three or four generations of family members and many close friends. She was proud of her Greek heritage and traveled joyously with her children and grandchildren to the Greek school she attended as a young girl on the island of Samos. She loved baking koulourakia (Greek cookies) with her daughter, Debra, to share with her family. She had a strong will and she was always stylishly dressed from head to toe. She had impeccable taste in fashion and interior design. You could often find her out and about shopping, especially for designer shoes, handbags and jewelry, and at the hair and nail salon for her weekly appointments with Simone and Mary. She struck up conversations everywhere she went and enjoyed getting to know others. Her spirit and zest for life were contagious and she was loved and adored by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Anne is preceded in death by her parents Yiasemi and Aristotelis Varellan; her late husband, Nicholas George Bakalis; her sister, Katherine Varellan Koutroumpis and her brother Chris Aristotelis Varellan.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Francis Burton Pinkston; her children Debra Bakalis Rallis (Dr. Michael) and Dr. George Nicholas Bakalis (Janet); her grandchildren Anna Rallis Kouba (David), George Michael Rallis (Dr. Sarah); Nichole Rallis Sydykov (Azamat), Janine Bakalis Thieme (Derek) and Dr. Nicholas George Bakalis; her great grandchildren George Aristotle Kouba, Louie Leonidas Kouba, Despina Alymkan Sydykov, Michael George Rallis, Theodore Thieme and Josephine Thieme; her nieces and nephews Barbara Bakalis, Linda Bakalis Pinkston (Mark), George Koutroumpis (Sharon), Jasmin Haralambatos (Demetrios) and William Koutroumpis; Frank’s children Sandy Ford (Jim), Mark Pinkston (Linda), Nina Vance (John) and Matthew Pinkston (Susan); Frank’s 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Anne’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the love and guidance of her spiritual father Reverend Father Steven Klund; the care and compassion of Anne’s medical team including Dr. Peter Manolukas and Dr. Martin Conley; her caregivers including Robin, Pandora, Jackie and Lynne; and the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare team including Beth, Megan and Jay; and most especially, Nina and John Vance, Frank’s daughter and son in law for their tireless efforts and compassion. Without the love and support of this dedicated team, Anne would not have been able to fulfil her final wish to remain at home until the end of her life.
Services will be held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, North Carolina on Monday, June 3, 2024. The visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Oleander Memorial Gardens and a makaria luncheon at the Hellenic Center at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 608 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403.
May her memory be eternal, sister worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory.
