Helen Voutsakis (nee Eleni Lambrou) passed on from this world on Saturday August 1, 2020.  She was born on February 10, 1926 in Peraia, a village along the shores of Lake Vegoritida in the prefecture of Pella, Greece.  Third of four children, Eleni arrived alone in the United States in 1947, having been forced to leave her family and war-ravaged homeland.  She lived here with her aunt, Maria Tyros of Royersford, Pennsylvania until her marriage to Vasilios Voutsakis in 1953. Despite enduring much strife early in her life, our mother rejoiced in her family and her heritage.

Throughout her life, she was a vibrant member of the Greek Orthodox community, including a 50 year member of the Daughters of Penelope and Philoptochos Society.  Eleni was a seamstress and a masterful chef.  She loved cooking for her family and guests and was an avid reader in both Greek and English.  She kept in close contact with her family in Greece and saw to it that her sons got to know their cousins, and were taught to love their heritage and the Greek language.

Eleni was a truthful and generous soul.  She especially welcomed those who, like her, had to flee Greece under circumstances of privation or personal tragedy.  Most of all, she was a wonderful mother, steering her sons through the trials of life and always making us feel loved.

Eleni is survived by her husband of 67 years, her sister Eugenia Lekos, her sons and daughters-in-law, 8 grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews in Greece and the United States, and by many friends.

Eleni was the loving wife of Vasilios Voutsakis, her husband of 67 years; devoted mother of Frank Voutsakis and his wife, Valerie, and Nicholas Voutsakis and his wife, Toula; her sister Eugenia Lekos; and devoted grandmother of Vasilios P., Ellen M., Philip, Christos, Ariana, Evanthia, Andreas and Athena Voutsakis; and the great grandmother of Nicholas.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Stavroula Lambrou and many nieces and nephews in Greece and the United States.

In lieu of flowers and to honor her memory, contributions can be made in her name to any of these three organizations: Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 30 East Forge Road, Media Pa. 19063 or the Philoptochos Society or the Daughters of Penelope, all of St. George at the above address.