Bess(Vassilia) Prasinos was born in Somersworth NH on December 25, 1921 to George and Stamatia Lingos. She attended Chandler School in Boston and became the personal assistant to the philanthropist and president of Ginn &Co. Publishing house. At the end of WWII, she was married to her longtime sweetheart Nicholas Prasinos, who had pursued her from her father's bakery in Inman Square to the shores of the Pacific, writing volumes of poems and letters dedicated to her from Guam and Tinian. A volume of his poetry was published, Vasilorean, or Queen of the sky.

The newly married couple settled in the Prasinos home at 176 Hancock street, Cambridge, while Nick finished MIT and Bess worked in Boston. Bess also worked for her family's business as CFO, before starting her own insurance agency, decades before women executives were in fashion. The agency grew while she was raising her two daughters, Marilyn and Laraine, until it was purchased by Aetna. Bess then took, early retirement, enjoying her bridge and garden clubs, while even venturing into some golf courses with intrepid friends, Ellie Anderson, Dot Wilder and Grace Ofria.

She did her time as grandmother/nanny to 3 grandchildren, Donny, Bianca and Niko Lippincott and spent summers in Cape Cod. She also visited Chicago and then Florida to spend time with her granddaughter, Nicola Mangan and Marilyn and David Mangan.

Bess (Vassilia) and Nick helped to found St. Nicholas Church in Lexington MA where they were lifelong stewards.
She finally retired with Nick year-round in Boca Raton FL, where she will be remembered for her sweet temperament, zesty sense of humor, and her great hospitality (spanakopita and grape leaves), her generosity and her kindness.

Bess Prasinos, 91, of Boca Raton, FL, passed away December 19, 2013. She is survived by her loving daughters; Marilyn Mangan, Laraine Lippincott, 4 grandchildren; Niki, Donny, Bianca, and Niko. Bess was predeceased by her beloved husband Nicholas. A Trisagion service will begin 1:30pm, Monday, December 23, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be held Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 9:15am at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
Arrangements by Gary Panoch Funeral Home, 6140 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487. www.gpanochfunerals.com 561-997-8580