Harriet (Petakas) Podotas

Harriet Podotas (nee Petakas), beloved mother and yiayia, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on the evening of July 30th, 2024 at the age of 90.

She is survived by her son, George (Sofia Vagiaki) and her daughter, Flora (David Poloway), her beloved grandchildren, Aristedes Poloway, Alexandra Poloway, Veronica Podotas, and Aristidis Podotas.

Harriet was born to parents George and Flora Petakas in the village of Artemona on the island of Sifnos, Cyclades, Greece. Despite some very difficult years during the Italian occupation, she recalled a love-filled early childhood, with memories of playful teasing by her older brother Nicholas of blessed memory.  Her family then immigrated to New York City when she was just 13 years old. Harriet dropped out of high school to work in the garment district to help support her family. This selflessness was evident throughout her lifetime, modeling her Christian faith by putting others first, regardless of her needs or wants.

She first met her loving husband, Aristidis, in New York, even though they were from the same village in Sifnos. They married and although they started with nothing, built a comfortable life for themselves and their children, sharing with them their love of their faith and homeland. They were part of the founding members of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, NY.  Harriet was an integral part of the church and Philoptochos Society. In 1977, they moved the family back to Greece, following her father’s death and took in her mother until her passing.  As fate would have it, they came back to the U.S. to Pennsylvania to live close to their daughter, Flora. Harriet then chose to remain in Pennsylvania after her husband died shortly before their 50th wedding anniversary.

Harriet’s hospitality was renowned. She would not let you leave her house without partaking of some Greek delicacy she had made. She loved to entertain and would often host family gatherings. Harriet’s life focus was unerringly her faith and her family, with her homeland a close third. She threw herself with gusto into caring for the people and things she loved most, and would talk anyone’s ear off about them. She was proud of those three things, but likely her greatest pride was her grandchildren.

Needless to say, she will be greatly missed and never forgotten. A matriarch who would move mountains for her family is now watching over them as an angel in heaven. Her funeral will take place in Artemona, Sifnos where her life began, date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox church of Jeffersonville (Norristown), PA or to the Medical Center in Apollonia, Sifnos (built on land donated by her father).

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