Eleni (Dimitrios) Zafiropoulo

Notes:

She appears in a 1905 photograph with her daughters and daughter-in-law (Akylas Millas ‘E Prinkipos’ Athens 1988). She was astonished to find herself pregant around the age of 50 (Christopher Long).

The Ottoman Sultan gave her a silver bidet and jug with matching bathroom accessories which all fitted into a mahogany case. Eleni never travelled without it and in 1994 it remains in the family! (Christopher Long)

Named ‘Mother of the Orphans’ by the Sultan because of the numerous homes she provided for them: e.g. The National Orphanage for Boys, Prinkipos and the Central Girls’ School, Pera. (Christopher Long).

“Most of my photos show her old but upright amidst her progeny with a Victorian bonnet on her head... plain of face, tall, slim, impeccably attired, imposing and relaxed. Her husband George remained devoted to her all his life...” (Christopher Long).

Birth:
The French obituary published in Simeonoglou says she was born 1813. George L Zarifi repeatedly implies she was borin in 1817. Sturdza says 1820. (Christopher Long).

Died:
Helene Zarifi, widow, Constantinople, Turkey, died 25 December 1905. Her estate a half century later was handled by Maxwell Batley & Co., 65, London Wall, London, E.C.2, Solicitors (John Howgate). (London Gazette

Family/Spouse: George (Ioannis) Zarifi. George was born on 06 Sep 1807 in Mega Revma, Constantinople/Istanbul Turkey; died on 06 Apr 1884 in Constantinople/Istanbul, Turkey; was buried in Sislí Greek Orthodox Cemetery, Constantinople/Istanbul Turkey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Pericles (George) Zarifi was born on 27 Mar 1844 in Constantinople/Istanbul, Turkey; died on 05 Jul 1927 in allées Léon Gambetta, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur,France; was buried on 06 Jul 1927 in St. Pierre Cemetery, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
2. Sophia (George) Zarifi was born on 24 Mar 1848 in Constantinople/Istanbul, Turkey; died on 07 Jun 1923 in rue de la Faisanderie 106, Paris 16ème, Île-de-France, France; was buried on 13 Jun 1923 in Ancien cimetière de Boulogne-sur-Seine, Val de Seine Paris 92100.