Areti Tsidonis, 76, of Lancaster, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Paliopirgos, Epirus, Greece, Areti was the daughter of the late Leonidas and Aphrodite (Prinzis) Valavanis.  She was the loving wife for 31 years of the late Emmanouel C. Tsidonis, who died in 1994.

Areti and Emmanouel loved each other very much; not only were they partners in business, but they were partners in life.  They worked side by side at Famous Cottage, 11 West Chestnut Street for many years before it closed in the early 90s.  They opened their Central Market stand, Areti's Greek Delights, in 1993, which Areti operated for 17 years. Her market stand was not only where people would buy her delicious pastries, but would share their thoughts, joys, and sorrows, and she brought them comfort and peace.

A member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Areti was a member of the Philoptochos Society, and volunteered at the annual church bazaar.  She was a faithful, loving, resilient, courageous, independent woman with a strong work ethic.  She was known for her great hospitality. She loved spending time with her family both here and in Greece. She was most happy making pita at the family home in Vissani, Greece.  Areti adored her grandchildren and they adored her.

Areti is survived by her children, Dr. Olga Tsidonis Pratt, wife of Benjamin A. Pratt, of Lancaster, Aphrodite Tsidonis Botis, wife of Alexandros Botis, of Ioannina, Greece, three grandchildren, Rebecca T. and Emmanuel Joshua "EJ" Pratt, and Raya Areti Botis, sisters, Vaselia, wife of George Alvanos, and Chrysanthi, wife of John Souras, all of Athens, Greece, and many other relatives in Lebanon, PA, New York, and Greece.

Areti's family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors and nurses of the LGH Trauma-Neuro unit on 5 Lime who took wonderful compassionate care of their mother.

Funeral Services will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM.  Viewings will be held at the church Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 PM and Wednesday morning from 9:30 until 10:30 AM.  A Trisagion Service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.  Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park.  Please omit flowers, contributions in Areti's memory may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.  Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Chapel in charge of arrangements.  To send an online condolence, please visit snyderfuneralhome.com