Estelle (Regopoulos) Sawyer

Estelle (Regopoulos) Sawyer, 69, of Fitchburg passed away early Tuesday morning in the arms of her adoring husband after a 21 year, hard fought battle, with scleroderma. Estelle was the centerpiece of her family. She was known for her immense strength, positivity, love for her friends, family, and her faith. Estelle will forever be remembered for her smile that lit up the world. 

Estelle was born October 27, 1954, to the late Angelo and Sophie Regopolous in Fitchburg. Estelle grew up in Leominster where she worked at Whalom Park and then at Demoulas where she met the love of her life, Chuck, in 1970. She graduated from Leominster High School in 1972. After starting her family, Estelle attended Fitchburg State College where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master's degree in education. She became an educator for the Fitchburg Public Schools where she would retire from over 30 years later, touching the lives of thousands of children from kindergarten to middle school. Her middle schoolers would know her as the driver of the “Big Green Blazer”. She not only left her mark on her students but that of her coworkers as well. She was always there to lend a helping hand, an ear to listen, or a hand to hold.  

She was an active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fitchburg and was a Sunday School teacher for many years.  

After retiring in 2014 Estelle could be found laughing and living life with her crew, Lea Schuren, Betty Berthiaume, and the late Bonnie Sweatman, or walking and chatting with friends. She enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, sudoku, and playing word games on her phone. She cherished her road trips to Florida with her husband where she would explore, relax on the beach, and spend time at the hockey rink where she would cheer on her grandson, Nickolas. But above all, she took pride in watching over her family and friends. 

Estelle will forever be remembered by her husband and best friend of 51 ½ years, Charles “Chuck” Sawyer; her son, Joseph C. Sawyer, and his life partner Sherri Salmond, of Leominster; her daughter, Sabrina St. John and her husband, Kevin, of Ellenton, FL; her sister Patricia Arsenault and her husband Dennis of Fitchburg; her brother James Regopoulos of Shrewsbury; her grandchildren, Joseph A. Sawyer and his wife, Crystal, Zachary Sawyer and his wife, Kari, Dillon Sawyer, Nickolas Tata, Julia Salmond, Kaleb Salmond, and Kiley St. John; her great grandson, Sage; several with many special cousins, nieces, and nephews, who all had a special bond with her.   

The loss of Estelle leaves a void in many hearts, but if we can all live like Estelle, the void will hurt a little less and the world will be a little brighter.

Calling hours and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1319 Main St., Fitchburg. Calling hours will be from 9:30-11:30 am, with the service to follow at 11:30 am, Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetary. All relatives and friends are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to the National Scleroderma Foundation, the New England Chapter, via scleroderma.org.