Bessie Zantopoulos

Despina (Bessie) Zantopoulos (Vasiliades) was born Massillon, Ohio on June 29, 1929, to Paul and Sophia Vasiliades, immigrant refugees from the Pontos region of Ordu, Turkey. She was the oldest of five children: Effie Morris (deceased), twins Sue Andreades (deceased) and Sam Vasiliades (deceased), and Leon Vasiliades. Bessie graduated from John Bartram High School in 1948.

In her youth, Bessie was a member of a Pontian band, playing guitar with other Greek immigrant children. They played for the Pontian Society and Greek affairs for five years. She spent her childhood in West Philadelphia among a large population of Greek immigrants. It was here that Bessie learned her love of giving to others from her mother who often housed and offered meals and services to other Greek families new to the United States.

She was engaged at 18 just a month after graduating high school, married George Zantopoulos in 1949, and had one son, Nicholas Zantopoulos. She dedicated her life to her family, her career, and her church. Bessie had a long career in market research, leading teams across Pennsylvania, Florida, and even Alaska. It was a career she cherished, but not the only thing she dedicated herself to. She was steadfast in her devotion to her parents, whose care she took on until their passing. She was Nouna or Thea to many, by blood and by love. Bessie doted on her granddaughters and great grandchildren who brought her immense joy.

Bessie was a devote Greek Orthodox and was instrumental in the foundation of St. Demetrius in Upper Darby, PA. She played a key role as one of their first Philoptochos members and continued to be an active part of Philoptochos throughout her life, making a huge difference at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Bessie was acknowledged numerous times throughout her life, including Congressional “Citizen of the Year” in 1997, the 2011 Philanthropy Award for dedication to the community and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Bessie spent her years after retirement volunteering at senior centers, visiting with elderly Greek parish members in nursing facilities, with Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Ronald McDonald House, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for over eighteen years. If there was a way to serve people, her Greek community, or those in need, Bessie was there to offer her time and heart. You can learn more about Bessie and her family’s influence on the Greek immigrants of Philadelphia in this YouTube interview.

Despina passed away peacefully on June 10th, 2024 with her son and granddaughter by her side.

She is survived by her son Nicholas (Jean) Zantopoulos, granddaughters Julie Zantopoulos, Nicole Hedlund, Alana Zantopoulos, and Georgina (Tyler) Groff, as well as her seven great grandchildren, Charlie Hedlund, Ava Hedlund, Carter Hedlund, Edie Hedlund, Shyanne Barone, Atticus Groff, and Lochlan Groff.

May her memory be eternal

Friends and family are welcome to attend her viewing from 10am to 12pm, Thursday, June 20, 2024, at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church.  35 N. Malin Rd, Broomall, Pa 19008.  Her funeral service will follow at 12pm.  As per Bessie’s wishes, her interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Orthodox Christian Mission FundNational Philoptochos Link: https://pushpay.com/g/philoptochos 

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