Preservation of American Hellenic History
Preservation of American Hellenic History
by Jason C. Mavrovitis
On 9 April 1928, the court denied Tsavalas motion to set aside the annulment, and the Appellate Division subsequently denied Tsavalas' appeal. Jimmy and Lily survived the threat to their marriage. Jimmy, Lily, Eleni and Louie must have suffered untold anguish during the months that the legal status of Lily's marriage was in doubt. Any information about the matter leaked to the Greek community would have caused more unwanted notoriety and scandal.
What motivated Tsavalas to attempt to quash the annulment of his marriage? He had played the role of a blind beggar (it is hard to imagine Eleni and Lily creating such a story). It is not hard to imagine that he would try to gain advantage out of the situation. The community thought Eleni financially well off. Perhaps Tsavalas sought a financial settlement.
There was great mutual respect and dedication in the marriage between Jimmy and Lily. Jimmy was a stalwart, responsible husband who in keeping with tradition left the home and its management to his wife. Lily was a traditional Greek homemaker who cooked, cleaned house, entertained, and raised children with pride and dedication.
The joining of Lily, the extroverted, enthusiastic, fun loving, dancing, leader of men and women, with Jimmy, a stoic, conservative, sober, unassuming, responsible gentleman was a merger of opposites. The early years of this romantic, affectionate couple are shown in a photograph of them together in 1927 and a photograph in 1928.
Life was good during the year that followed the end of their legal entanglements. Jimmy was successful at his business; Eleni and Louie were equally prosperous at their work in the garment industry. Lily kept house for them all and looked after her grandmother, Vasiliki.
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