Athena Mandros passed away peacefully on New Years Day at home. She was born in the village of Vlachokerasia located in Arcadia, Greece on August 11, 1926. She was the daughter of the late Vasilios and Fotini Copetas. After living through World War II and subsequent Civil War in Greece, she immigrated to the United States in search of a better life in 1951. Athena moved to Pittsburgh where many people from her village settled. In 1957, she married her beloved husband, the late Simos Mandros, and they moved to Lancaster and started the store that would become Mandros Imported Foods. For the next 60 years, Athena was an integral part of the family business and brought her ethic of hard work and discipline. She loved to chat with her customers and pass on her love of cooking. She would give out tips and tricks to making traditional Greek food and would show people how to work with phyllo dough using the ever present newspaper on the counter. She was also known for her bag packing acumen and would slap away any hands that tried to pack a bag not up to her standard. And let's not forget that Athena was feisty, always ready to speak her mind, and tell stories. She is survived by her two sons, Constantine (Dino) and Vasilios (Bill) [Jan]; and her grandchildren who she adored, Athena, her namesake, and Simos (Si). She is also survived by her sister, Aphrodite Desimpris of Athens, Greece, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Simos, and her brothers, Nicolas Copetas of Greece and George Copetas of Pittsburgh. A viewing will be held from 6-8 PM with a Trisagion Service at 7 PM on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Viewing will continue on Friday, January 4 from 9:30-10:30 AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 with a Funeral Service to begin at 10:30 AM officiated by Rev. Hector Firoglanis and Rev. Alexander Veronis. Athena will be laid to rest at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. The family would like to thank Hospice, Comfort Care, and Visiting Angels who help immensely in her care comforting her in her last days and allowing her to remain at home. The family would also like to thank all the many customers who asked about her and shared their advice and personal experiences in dealing with parents with dementia over the past three years. In lieu of flowers, should you so desire, please make either a donation to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.