Calliope M. Gerovasilis, 94

June 01, 2024

Calliope M. Gerovasilis, 94, passed away on June 1, 2024, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born on February 2, 1930, in Asfendiou, Kos, Greece. She was the daughter of Stamatios Monahas and Stamatia Alahioti Monahas. Calliope was married to the late Vasilios Gerovasilis.

Calliope and her family emigrated from Greece to Canada in 1966 and later moved to Lancaster, PA, in 1969. She worked in the laundry department of local Lancaster hotels for a few years, up to the death of her husband in 1979. She then became a homemaker and raised her five children. She was known for making excellent baklava, yaprakia (stuffed grape leaves), pastitsio, homemade bread, and paximadia.

She was a faithful member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and was always willing to prepare prosphora and koliva when needed. She was a dedicated volunteer at the annual Greek Food Bazaar. Her specialty was preparing loukoumades (honey balls). She was also an active member of Philoptochos, a women’s charity organization of the church.

She had a great sense of humor, which she typically reserved for family and close friends. She watched her favorite show, Wheel of Fortune, every day. She had a sweet tooth for lemon and coconut desserts! Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, and yiayia.

She was blessed with a wonderful husband, children, grandchildren, and her extended family of beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins in the U.S., Greece, Australia, and Canada.

Calliope is survived by her five children: Stella Kambouroglos (Elia), Tom Gerovasilis, Manuel Gerovasilis (Christine), Tony Gerovasilis, and Donna Vitko (John), all of Lancaster, PA. She had seven grandchildren: Kaliope Kambouroglos, Vasilia Kambouroglos, Maria Gerovasilis, Haley Morlock (Ryan), Sophia Vitko, Vasile Gerovasilis, and Ivan Vitko. She also had one great-grandson, Liam Morlock.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine Maounis Gerovasilis and Maria Papademetriou, and her brother, Mihali Monahas. Surviving her are her brother, Vasili Monahas, and sisters, Toula Kallinikos and Evankella Koulianos, all of Australia; and a sister, Christina Keares, of Greece.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Lancaster General Hospital and Hospice & Community Care who provided so much care and comfort during Calliope’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Philoptochos Society or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church both at 64 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603.

The viewing and funeral service will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603 on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The viewing will start at 9:30 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, with The Rev. Hector Firoglanis officiating. Interment to follow at Conestoga Memorial Park.