Angelina (“Kiki”) Pappas, beloved mother of Peggy Pappas Gekas (Nick), the late George Pappas (Helen), and Dr. Charles Pappas (Aprille) died on October 12, 2020. Lovingly known by most as Yiayia Kiki, she spent her 103 years of life with utmost devotion to her large adoring family, to her strong Greek heritage, and to her Church.
Kiki was born to Charles and Eleni “Lela” (Lekas) Biniaris on August 4, 1917, in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Kensington High School, in Philadelphia, and married Engelos (“Frank”) Pappas shortly thereafter. Kiki and her husband raised their three children in Cheltenham, PA. They ran successful restaurants for years, and after the passing of her husband in 1962, Kiki assumed a primary role in managing the family business.
Until recently, Kiki was very active in the Greek community and was on the board of the Annunciation Church in Elkins Park Women’s Charity “Philoptochos Nausica,” which is part of one of the largest philanthropic/charities in the United States. During more than 40 years there, she held several offices with that group and was their Treasurer.
Kiki captivated all who knew her with her witty sense of humor and her magnetic energy, even up until her final days. Whether at Church, or among friends or her family, she had a commanding presence marked by her warmth, her incredible sense of fashion—which included wearing high heels well into her nineties—and her full-of-life attitude. She loved all 24 of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely, attending countless athletic events, recitals, birthdays, and weddings. She tirelessly instilled a sense of tradition in all of them, whether it was by hosting eloquent and elaborate holiday dinners, making sure they could speak some Greek, or sharing the secrets to her Greek dishes (always adding a little more butter). As the matriarch of her family, she led with grace and with unconditional love.
In addition to her children, Kiki also leaves behind eight adoring grandchildren and spouses: Dean Gekas (Irene), Evan Gekas (Vicki), Angelique Pappas-White (Darren), Stephanie Pappas-Newman (William), Marissa Pappas-Barletta (Christopher), Evan Pappas (Katie), Angela Pappas (Mary Jo Markle), and Chrysten Chadwick (Matthew). She will be cherished by her sixteen admiring great grandchildren who, together with her grandchildren and children, will carry on her legacy forever.
The funeral and interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Annunciation Elkins Park or to Philoptochos Nausica at the Church's address.
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