Sophie P. Nestor
Sophie P. Nestor Paying it Forward!
Sophie was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, daughter of Prodromos and Argyro (Petrakis) Prodromou, and lived in the Atlantic City area from the age of three. She met her husband George Peter Nestor at the age of twelve and married him twelve years later. While her husband fought in Europe in World War II, Sophie assisted wounded soldiers as the youngest Red Cross Gray Lady at Haddon Hall Hotel.
After the war, Sophie and George started a family, raising two sons, two daughters, and beagles. Sophie was active in the founding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and was a member of the choir for more than forty years, and served in several church youth programs. She was also part of the Philoptochos Society, introducing the “bid and buys” and fashion show fundraisers.
Believing in a philosophy of “paying it forward”, Sophie passed on her knowledge and skills to others. She played a leading role in the Greek-American community in Atlantic City, with involvement in the Greek Independence Day celebrations, and working with the Atlantic City Press on features about Greek individuals, groups and their role in the history of the area. Sophie helped to develop Stockton University’s Hellenic Studies program as well.
Sophie’s community work included leadership in the Pleasantville Schools PTAs and as President of the County PTA. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and received honors from the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame and the Atlantic City High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Sophie moved to Ohio to live with her daughter’s family in 2009, where she continued to be active in the Daughters of Penelope and served on the District Lodge.