Despina Vekios Dianastasis

Despina (Vekios) Dianastasis, 89, of Lancaster died peacefully on Wednesday, September 16 in her home surrounded by her family. She was born in the village of St. George on the island of Chios, Greece. She was the daughter of Nicholas and Marianthi (Zymnis) Vekios.

Despina, known affectionately to her friends as Des, came to this country in 1946 at the age of 10. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family. Her unconditional love for her family, and her loyalty to her friends, was appreciated by all who knew her.

She entered the Manheim Township school district system as a 10-year-old first-grader. She came from a Greek village with no electricity and one phone in the center of town. As she learned English, she began to skip grades and graduated on-time at the age of 18. Remarkably, she graduated 7th in her class, as well as being admitted to the National Honor Society.

She met the love of her life, John Dianastasis, in the church choir. They were married in 1955 in front of 650 of their closest friends. They had a wonderful marriage and were inseparable from day one. She was right by her husband's side in the day-to-day support of the family businesses, Skyline Swimming Pool and JD Real Estate.

Despina was a life member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, where she served for many years in the Philoptohos Society. She also played and enjoyed tennis with her friends.

Despina placed her family at the top of her list, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for them. She is predeceased by her husband John Dianastasis after 58 years of marriage. She is survived by her brother George and wife Bonnie Vekios, son Ernie Dianastasis and daughter-in-law Jennifer Dianastasis, daughter Maria Skeparnias and son-in-law Louis Skeparnias, son Nick Dianastasis, grandchildren Nick Skeparnias, John Skeparnias, John Dianastasis, and Paisley Dianastasis. She is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, as well as former daughter-in-law Nancy Doskocil, nephew Nick Vekios and niece Leah Gillespie (Vekios).

Despina's unwavering spirit, great sense of humor, loyalty, generosity, honesty, flexibility, humility, and devotion to God were hallmarks of her character. She had an amazing ability to take challenging situations head on, with a positive attitude and calming resolve, and emerge with the best possible outcomes. She was remarkable that way, and she credited her faith for that strength.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at 10:15am at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA, 17603, with the Rev. Hector Firoglanis officiating. A viewing will take place right before the funeral from 9:00am-10:15am at the church. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Despina's memory to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (benefiting military veterans) at www.t2t.org.