Obituary: Patricia A. Anastos

Patricia A. Anastos, at 86

Patricia A. [Wallace] Anastos, of Hull, died peacefully in her sleep June 17, at Harbor House in Hingham. She was 86.

Along with her late husband, Ernie, Mrs. Anastos had been an integral part of life on the South Shore for more than 70 years. They raised their three children in Hingham and brought warmth and character to two of Nantasket Beach’s most popular businesses – their own Anastos Variety and Hardware, and Jake’s Seafood, where she served as the restaurant’s hostess for more than a decade.
Mrs. Anastos was born in Floral Park, N.Y., the oldest of three children of Walter and Marguerite (Smith) Wallace. She was 12 when the family moved to Hull.

At Hingham High School, she excelled in choir, dance, cheerleading, and boys. After graduating in 1948, Mrs. Anastos worked for the New England Telephone Co. and helped out at a rooming house in Hull owned by the Anastos family. It was here that she met Ernie, a Navy officer home from the war.

She wed the love of her life on New Year’s Eve in 1948, and remained happily married to him until his death in 2003. The couple made their home in Hingham with their children, Ernie Jr., Janice Marie, and Cheryl Ann (Sheri). Mrs. Anastos loved to entertain friends and family in their Summer Street home. She enjoyed traveling with Ernie and the kids; each year the family spent a month visiting Ernie’s parents in Miami.

Over the years, she often worked alongside him at the family hardware store. She is best remembered, however, as the “hostess with the mostest” at Jake’s.

“She got to know the whole community there,” said Dennis Zaia, a longtime family friend. “She was the most gracious and welcoming presence. Sparkling, bubbling, effervescent, and always gracious. Jake’s was a welcoming environment for people – and she created that.”

In retirement, Pat and Ernie moved to Allerton Hill, where she lived for the past 22 years. After many years as a homemaker making perfect meals to be served every night at 6:15 for her family, she finally reached a time in her life where the only thing she enjoyed making for dinner was a reservation. She fell ill only recently, and was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) early this year.

Loving mother of Ernie Anastos of San Diego, Janice Ryan and her husband, Darryl, and Sheri Anastos and her partner, Mary Ann Ingaciola, all of Hull; dear grandmother (YaYa) of Théo Anastos of San Diego; beloved sister of Bill Wallace of Hingham; she is also survived by and will be greatly missed by many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to curePSP.org. See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.