Helen “Eleni” Ziogas, 89

February 14, 1935 - January 16, 2025

Members of the Ziogas and Jones families are heartbroken at the passing of their beloved matriarch Helen (Eleni) Ziogas. She passed away on January 16th surrounded by her family in Elizabethtown, Pa.

Helen (Eleni) was the daughter of the late George and Antonia (Britsakis) Papadakis and was born in Chania, Crete, Greece on February 14, 1935. Eleni emigrated to the United States following her marriage to James H. Ziogas on September 9, 1964. They celebrated 59 years of marriage. A talented cook and homemaker, Eleni was known for preparing healthy meals for various friends and family. She was also known for gifting friends and family with her delicious pastries. Family members will treasure her gifts of personally knitted blankets and sweaters and her embroidered tablecloths. They will miss cards signed with her favorite epithet, “the Cretan.”

Eleni is survived by her children, Melissa Jones, Harry Ziogas, and Antonia Ziogas; grandchildren Patrick Jones, Eleni Lindberg, wife of Keaton Lindberg, and Katina Jones along with relatives who live in Greece. She was preceded in death by her husband James, siblings Argyro and Ioannis Papadakis, and son-in-law Michael Jones.

A devout Eastern Orthodox Christian, Eleni was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, Pa and a lifelong member of the Philoptochos Society. The viewing will be held on January 23, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 am followed by the funeral service at 10:30 am in the church social hall of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, officiated by Reverend Fr. Hector Firoglanis. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Philoptochos Society of Annunciation Orthodox Church in Lancaster.