Obituaries

Stella C. (Pazakis) Gianopoulos, 95

May 13, 2020

Stella C. (Pazakis) Gianopoulos, 95, of Elizabethtown, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on May 13, 2020 of natural causes at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown. Stella began a long career with Armstrong “Cork” Company right out of high school, keeping up with her co-workers for many years after her retirement. But as much as she enjoyed her fulltime job, Stella reveled in providing a warm home for her family by surrounding them with her beautiful flowers, wonderful meals, and clean home. She was an early “farm to table” provider!

Through a church pen pal program, Stella “met” and fell in love with her future husband, Nick Gianopoulos while he was serving in WWII. They were the perfect match as Nick loved to boast of Stella’s specialties and Stella supported Nick’s various endeavors over the years.

Stella grew up in Willow Street on a farm, the first in her family to graduate from high school, and always valued her Lampeter HS classmates and teachers.

Stella married Nick at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in 1950 where she was a lifetime member, enjoying her participation in the Daughters of Penelope well into her 80s, and developed deep and abiding friendships.

Besides her husband Nick, Stella is survived by her son, Dean (Becky), Lancaster and her daughter, Cynthia Oak (Steven), Asheville, NC; grandchildren Andrew Oak (Lisa) Houston, TX, Adrienne Al-Abed (Wasim) Cornelius, NC, and Nick Gianopoulos, Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren Neely and Jackson Oak, and Laila and Mariam Al-Abed.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Vissarites, and brothers, Anthony and John Pazakis.

A mom with firm expectations, she dedicated herself to her children’s upbringing and being engaged in their lives in any way she could. Stella was always thinking of her extended family and friends by sending out cards, visiting, and checking in by phone. Always offering help either with yard work, washing windows, raking leaves (even shoveling neighbors’ driveways in her 80s because they were “older”!) or by taking people her flowers, veggies, and goodies, she could not do enough to help her family, her neighbors, and friends as she loved and cared about people both her longtime friends and her new friends at Masonic Village. Stella lived and breathed a “servant” faith her entire life. Mom, YiaYia, “great” YiaYia: You taught us all well!

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a drive through viewing for Stella will be held on Monday evening, May 18th from 5-7PM at the South Chapel portico glass entrance at Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home 3110 Lititz Pike. Parking attendants will direct and assist guests. A Trisagion service will be held for the family only after the drive through viewing. A private funeral service for Stella will be at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. Hector Firoglanis officiating. The service will be live streamed for the public Tuesday morning at 10:30AM (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf2vSFDI2r5r84Zg_gbLwaw). A half hour prior to the service, a video tribute will be played through the same link. Interment will be at Conestoga Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Stella’s memory may be sent to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603.

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Condolences to the Family

July 13, 2020

So sorry to learn of your mom’s passing.  Sending prayers to you and your family.
Gene V. Schmitt

May 30, 2020

Dear Nouno, Dean and Cindy, I only have the fondest memories of my Nouna who was present throughout my life. There are not enough words to describe her goodness and being. But I will forever remember her fondly as an incredibyly generous, warmhearted, devoted and beautiful soul. She cherished her gardens and took pride in her Greek heritage and cooking. Always with a smile and a laugh, I will miss her presenece in my life but will continue to carry her in my heart. With love and sympathy, Vicky

May 29, 2020

Dear Mr. Gianopoulos, Dean and Cindy and Family,
We mourn the loss of Mrs. Gianopoulos, especially as Vicky’s godmother.  We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loving family and cherish her memory. 
Georgia Sambunaris

May 27, 2020

So sorry to hear of Stella’s passing.  What a wonderful life Stella enjoyed.  A great love in Nick and a loving family.  My deepest condolences. 
dana chryst

May 18, 2020

may her memory be eternal 
kathy papadimitriou

May 18, 2020

Dear Nick ,Dean, Becky , and Cindy , Diane and I have known Nick and Stella for at least twelve years ,I was saddened to hear of Stellas passing ,I always told her when I saw her that she reminded me so much of my Grandmother ,she would always thank me for saying that, Stella was such a sweet woman and will be sadly missed by all ,I know she is in a better place with God holding her in his hands , With Warm Regards  Rick and Diane Cramer

May 18, 2020

Dear Nick, Dean, Becky, Cindy and Nick,
We are so sorry to hear of Stella’s passing.  May her memory be eternal. With our deepest sympathies, Mark & Angela Moshos

May 18, 2020

Dear Nick Dean and Cinthia and families
Our deepest sympathies for the loss of  dear Stella. We always remember that whenever we paid a visit at Lancaster she was very proud to show her flowers. When they come in Greece with Nick and stay at our house she was very pleased to see our garden and discused with Eirini what kind of  flowers we have.
Petros  Eirini Giannoulopoulos and family 

May 18, 2020

I have so many fond memories of your mother from all our get togethers throughout the years. I enjoyed our conversations together. May her memory be eternal, Love, Charles and Maria Hazangeles Grant

May 18, 2020

Our deepest sympathies. May she rest in peace. Praying God’s blessings of peace, strength, and comfort to all the family. May her memory be eternal.
Paul and Cass Mimidis

May 18, 2020

Many years I had the pleasure of doing Stella’s hair!What an amazing lady!Always going to get more flowers! May the heavens be filled with flowers for you to tend to Stella! ❤️❤️ I am praying for peace for you the family!
Judy Morrison

May 17, 2020

Dear Dean and Cindy,
    Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother.   She is in the comfort of  God’s arms.  May her memory be eternal.  Frank & Laurel Maounis

May 17, 2020

Dear Nick, Cindy, and family,
   Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your dear mother.  She and I would joke and say, Hi Stella, Hi Stella.   So many wonderful memories.  You were blessed to have had a wonderful and kind mother and yiayia.  May her memory be eternal.  Maria and Stella Papadmetriou

May 17, 2020

I had the pleasure of  meeting Stella at the gym. I always looked forward to seeing her -we worked out together in the back row and shared many laughs. She was a wonderful lady. My prayers are with the family at this time.  Pat Yeager

May 17, 2020

We are so sorry for your loss especially during this strange time with COVID and all of the restrictions that it has brought.  We are praying for you and Mr. G.  That was a beautiful obituary and I enjoyed reading about her.  Love to you all.
Ashley Odvody

May 17, 2020

Nick and family, my condolences.  I’m remembering the times working with Stella and having our retiree monthly lunches.  My sincere sympathy.
Josie Hagel

May 17, 2020

Dear Nick and Family, I was lucky enough to work with Stella at Armstrong. We both had our birthdays in September and would go together to treat our fellow workers.  Of course, Stella would always include one of her delicious Greek pastries that everyone enjoyed.  After I retired, Stella joined our group of fellow retires for lunch once a month for a very good time. We missed her when she moved to Etown. 
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Donna Byrd

May 17, 2020

Mr. Gianopoulos, Dean, Cindy and family. You have our deepest sympathy and are in our prayers.  May God grant you peace and strength in this sorrowful time. May her memorial be eternal.
Nancy and Pat St.Clair

May 17, 2020

Cindy, Steve, & family, so saddened by your loss. 
Jeff Duke

May 17, 2020

Dear Nick and family, 
We send our deepest sympathy to you. She will be deeply missed by many. Peace be with you.
Betsy & Chris Hasircoglu 

May 16, 2020

dear Nick   you have our deepest sympathy   the Valudes Family

May 16, 2020

Dear Nick and Family,
We offer our deepest on Stella’s passing.  She was a warm and kind person who was a delight to engage.
May her memory be eternal!
Paul & Kay

May 16, 2020

Dear Mr. Gianopoulos, Dean, Becky, Cindy and Steven,  Our hearts go out to you now, as we learned today of the passing to Heaven of your beautiful mother.  We loved her and we know that she is with our parents, who loved their dear friends immeasureably.  We will be in touch soon, and you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
In love and friendship, Dody, Gus , Andrea and Spencer

May 16, 2020

Dear Nick and family, you have our deepest sympathy. We wish you comfort and peace. George and Judy George. 

May 16, 2020

I am so saddened to learn of Stella’s passing. Emmanuel and I enjoyed the many Sunday breakfasts and interesting conversations with Stella and Nick after church. 
Stella Papadakis

May 16, 2020

Dear Pazakis and Gianopoulos family, sorry to hear about cousin Stella,our sincere sympathy. 
Love 
Spencer and Janet speros 

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