On November 13, 2010 Sophie M. Maroulis (nee Vlahoglou); beloved wife of the late Michael G. Maroulis; devoted mother of Irene Dzouropanos and her husband Pete and Georgios Maroulis and his wife Vivian; dear sister of Evangelia Kapsali and Maritsa Psakalou; grandmother of Christen and Anastasia Maroulis and Sophia and Nikolaos Dzouropanos.

Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26) on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9PM. where a Trisaghion service will be held at 7:30PM. Mrs. Maroulis will lie in state at the Chapel of the Holy Resurrection 5917 Windsor Mill Rd. Tuesday from 10:30 until 11:00AM the funeral hour. Interment in the Greek Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Gilchrist Hospice 11311 McCormick Rd. Ste 350 Hunt Valley, Md. 21031.

Sophie Maroulis nee Vlahoglou was born on March 5, 1920. Her father , Yianni Vlahoglou and mother, Despina Katimerozoglou were expelled (1919) from their ancestral home in the village of P. Foca, a small coastal village of farmers and fishermen surrounded by small mountains located near Smyrni (now the province of Izmir) in Turkey, as a result of failed post WWI treaties.


The refugees eventually resettled in a coastal area south of Athens, that bore a striking resemblance to their earlier village. This area grew into a village later given the same name Palea Fokea. Sophie's family initially lived in tents provided by the Greek Government and worked the land as subsistence farmers. Sophie married Mihali (Michael) Maroulis also a refuge from the area in 1946. She moved to Athens, Greece and lived in the section known as Ambelokipi. Sophie and Michael had two children, Ireni (Irene Dzouropanos) and Giorgios (Georgios Maroulis).


The Greek economy collapsed after WWII as a result of axis invasions and subsequent Communist initiatives. With few opportunities to raise their children, Sophie's family immigrated to the United States in 1956. They entered through the Port of New York on the Queen Frederica, a passenger liner that brought thousands of Greeks and Italians to the Land of Opportunity. Sophie's family settled in the Gardenville area of Baltimore.

Sophie immediately went to work upon arrival at T. I. Schwartz and Sons, a men's clothier located at the 600 block of South Pulaski Street. Leaving her apartment at 6:00 a.m., Sophie would ride the #15 trolley to Howard Street where she transferred to the # 51 bus to start work at 8:00 a.m., come rain, snow or sun for over 20 years until the clothing maker closed. Sophie and Michael were a perfect pair and role models of hard working immigrants. Sophie made great sacrifices leaving her mother and family behind knowing her personal sacrifices would lead to a better future for her children. Sophie peacefully passed away in her bed on November 13, 2010. Sophie is additionally survived by her grandchildren, Sophia and Nikolaos Dzouropanos, Christen and Anastasia Maroulis.