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Louisa “Lisa” Babu
Louisa Lisa Babu, 85, of Fountain Hills, Arizona died on Sunday, July 12 at her residence surrounded by her children. Lisa was a very devout and faithful member of the Assumption community who was an inspiration to many.
She was born April 29, 1930 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, the daughter of Thomas and Constantina Ziu. She married Constantin Babu of Korce, Albania in 1957. Her husband preceeded her in death.
Mrs. Babu retired in 1997 after working 25 years for the State of Illinois in Springfield. She received her Bachelors degree in Business Management in 1980 from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Lisa moved to Arizona following her husband’s death in 2003.
A volunteer at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ for many years, Lisa also gave her time to the town of Fountain Hills, helping clean and preserve sculptures in the park, serving as an art docent and theater usher. She was a member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Scottsdale, Red Hat Society, Hooks and Needles, Senior Olympics and was well-known in the Fountain Hills community.
Lisa is survived by three daughters, Victoria (David) Niswonger of Wildwood, MO. Ileana Babu of Tucson, AZ and Nina (Joseph) Sullivan of Colleyville, TX; one son, Dr. L. Thomas (Vasvi) Babu of Scottsdale, AZ; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters Flora Popovici of Bristol, RI, Shirley Marcin of Southbridge, MA and one brother, Steven Ziu of Menifee, CA and several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held Saturday, July 18 in St. Louis, MO at St. Matthews Cemetery. Funeral procession will begin at 11 AM from Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa St., St. Louis, MO 63109
Services: Wednesday, July 15 at 10am at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 8202 East Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
Visitation: Tuesday, July 14 from 5pm-7pm with Trisagion prayers following at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 8202 East Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 8202 East Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or St. Thomas Romanian Orthodox Church, 6501 Nottingham Ave, St. Louis, Mo 63109.
Location: Fountain Hills Mortuary
Church: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
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4 Replies
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In memory of my eldest sister, Louisa Ziu Babu. She is sorely missed.
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Memory eternal. Is she buried in St. Louis?
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Yes, Elissa, my sister Louisa “Lisa” Ziu Babu is buried in St. Louis at St. Matthews cemetery next to her husband, Constantin “Dean” Babu. I took that photo of Louisa (her baptismal name) standing next to her youngest daughter, Nina Babu Sullivan in 2013. My husband and I traveled to St. Louis in July 2013 for the marriage of Louisa’s eldest grandchild, Christian Niswonger. Louisa wanted to visit Dean’s grave site while we were there, so I documented the visit with the enclosed photo. Louisa’s son, L Thomas Babu lives in Scottsdale with his wife and family, her daughter, Ileana Babu lives in Tucson, Nina Babu Sullivan and family live in Texas and her daughter Victoria and husband live in St. Louis but winter in Arizona. Also, I so enjoyed reading about your early years at St. Dimitru in New York City. I remember Fr. Hategan and later Fr. Galdau. My sister, Flora Ziu Popovici met her husband, Richard Popovici while attending St. Dimitru when living and working in the fashion industry in NY in the early 1950’s. I distinctly remember their beautiful choir which consisted of the Babu sisters, Lucy, Jenny and Louise. Jenny had a voice of an angel. These gals were the daughters of Thanas Babu who was my brother-in-laws uncle. Below: Louisa and her eldest daughter, Victoria Babu Niswonger of St. Louis. Next photo is of Louisa’s four children. From left to right: L. Thomas Babu, Nina Babu Sullivan, Ileana Babu, and Victoria Babu Niswonger.
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I also live in Tucson! If you come out to visit family here, let me know.
Also, I am wondering if you know any of the Gnoully family who was in St. Louis? I think Custard was my grandmother Maria (Teja) Lupu’s aunt, but I can’t put the pieces together. I have a photo of Custard with my grandmother and grandfather, if you would like to see it.
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