Helen Giannakopoulos Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Giannakopoulos on October 11, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Steve Giannakopoulos. Loving mother and hero of Peter Giannakopoulos, Nick (Electra) Giannakopoulos and Vickie (Peter) Maris. Proud Yiayia to Ellie, Matthew, Stephanie, Alexandria, Steven, Christina and Elaina. Loving mother-in-law to Sophia. Sister to Potoula (the late Apostolis) and departed brother Theodoraki (Tasia). Wonderful Aunt to many nieces and nephews and was more of a second mother to her nephews John and Peter.
Helen's story began in May of 1929, in the beautiful city of Sparta, Greece. Helen was the daughter of Nikolaos and Maria. She was raised with the values of faith, family and determination that helped guide her through a life filled with many challenges.
Helen married Steve Giannakopoulos in 1959, and together they sailed to the United States aboard the Queen Frederica. She left her family and everything familiar behind to begin a new life in Chicago. They arrived with little more than courage and a dream - knowing no English, but determined to create a better future. She and her husband built a beautiful life together centered on family, faith, community and love.
Saving whatever money they made, Steve and Helen purchased an apartment building on the northeast side of the city where they raised their family. Helen was a savvy business woman always looking to progress the family further. She instilled that spirit in her kids. A spirit that drove everyone to excel in all their chosen endeavors.
Anyone who knew Helen knew two things about her: that she had a smile that could light up a room and that her children and grandchildren were her biggest priority. She instilled in her children, and eventually grandchildren, that education was extremely important. Even in her 90's, she was always more than happy to demonstrate how she could still prove the Pythagorean Theorem.
Wanting to keep their children grounded in their Greek Orthodox faith the family settled at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. It quickly became a second home to them. Helen spent countless hours volunteering at festivals, bake sales and charitable events. She enjoyed her friendships and was happy to serve as president to the Parent Teachers Organization. She was a faithful member of the Philoptochos Society as well as the Spartan Society.
Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with the Hellenic Foundation. She visited many places on their tours, such as Alaska, Brazil, the Amazon River, Hawaii and more. She cherished those memories and all the beautiful people that traveled with her.
Welcoming seven grandchildren, Helen was the "yiayia" who always had chocolates in her purse. She had endless games and stuffed animals in her apartment for sleepovers and wouldn't allow them to get up from the kitchen table unless absolutely stuffed with her best cooking. She would cheer them on from the sidelines at soccer, basketball and field hockey games, just as she did for her own children.
Although we are sad now, the family will forever cherish the memories of holidays filled with her homemade meals, koulourakia, galatobouriko and her stories from Sparta. And her grandchildren will always carry on the tradition of the New Year's vasilopita. Time spent with Helen will be forever in our hearts.
She will be lovingly remembered for her strength, hard work, and the great love she had for her family and friends. She was so proud of her Greek heritage and made sure to instill that in her children and grandchildren. Even at 96, she would ask every person she met, "are you Greek?" - always hoping to find another fellow Greek but making a good friend regardless.
May her spirit rest in peace with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and may her memory be eternal ~
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church would be appreciated.
Visitation Thursday, October 16 at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Rd, Glenview from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Funeral service Friday, October 17 at Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 North Sheridan Rd, Chicago at 10:00AM. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove.
Arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, 847-375-0095.