Betty Yeotis Vlahakis

East Lansing, Michigan

Betty, originally from Flint, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. Betty, the much beloved wife of Angelos (“Ange”) Vlahakis, were married for 53 years. Betty was the proud and devoted mother of Angela Bigelow and James Vlahakis. Betty was a dotting “Yia Yia” (grandmother) to James and his wife Stacy’s two boys, Evan and Ian. Betty’s illness kept her from attending Angela’s marriage to Gary Bigelow, but they performed a short ceremony by her bedside before she passed. Betty was the “kid sister” to the Honorable Thomas C. Yeotis, was like a sister to Tom’s wife Magdalen (“Meg”). Betty was an aunt and/or godmother to Tom and Meg’s, Stephanie Kladis, Dean Yeotis, Dean’s wife Lynda and Georgann Rivas. She was also “Aunt Betty” to the children of Ange’s sisters, Joanne (Pamela, Greg and James) and Lorraine (Mike and Liz). Betty was the vibrant, fun-loving cousin Pat Ladas, Art Yeotis, Cathy Yeotis, Ph.D, Eli, Gus and John Chinonis and Evan Kokales. She was especially close to fellow Spartan fans, Mary and Louie Vlahakis.

Betty graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in elementary education. Betty embraced Michigan State University, was a member of Faculty Folk and her family fondly remembers her vocal support for the Spartans. As “Spartans”, Betty and Ange “adopted” many out of town MSU students, hosting Sunday dinners and sending students home with her home-cooked meals. Betty’s daughter Angela inherited her maternal and nurturing instincts, with Angela being a godmother to Ian Vlahakis and Gabriella Chinonis children. Always thoughtful, gracious and kind-hearted, Betty took on many roles in her life, first as an elementary school teacher, and then helping Ange create mouthwatering recipes and good times at Jim’s Tiffany Place. Betty was a major factor in the success of Jim’s, with Betty carefully compiling Greek recipes from her mother Georgia, Ange’s mother Penelope, Penelope’s sister Christine Angelacos and Angeline Kacahudas. Betty loved to needle point and sew baby blankets. Tom Kladis, her brother Tom’s grandson, noted that he still has a monogrammed baby blanket that she made for him. She will be remembered for always mailing out birthday and anniversary cards to friends and family. While Betty was a devoted friend, she was also known for being an “Ace” tennis player. Betty enjoyed hosting her grandchildren for a week each summer and taught Evan and Ian how to beat their father in Rummikube. Along with Sue Neller, Betty embraced their husbands’ passion for antique cars, and joyfully dressed up in vintage attire. Betty was a consummate hostess. For example, Betty spent countless summers hosting friends, family as well as Ange’s former students from Michigan State at Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan. Each visit was documented in a “Guest Book”. Betty also host countless holiday gatherings and cocktail parties, each memorable because of her attention to detail, great food, which earned her the nickname “the Greek Martha Stewart.” Betty’s love of hospitality, loosely derived from the Greek word “filoxenia” (making a friend of a stranger) was handed down to her by her parents Georgia and Gus. Betty was well known for welcoming newcomers to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Betty handed her skills down to her children. Betty and Ange always looked forward to the holidays with daughter-in-law Stacy and her family, as Stacy always brought a new, cutting edge dish to each holiday gathering. Betty loved the arts, and was a member and volunteer at Kresge Art Gallery. An artist herself, she gladly assisted her big brother Tom in his art projects. Her artistic flair was handed down to her grandsons, Evan and Ian. She was a devoted Junior League member, and loved volunteering her time at The Cedar Chest. Betty had a green thumb, which she passed down her children. Her family will always remember the day that Betty and Marcia Spencer had their one and only gardening misadventure where they attempted to learn Bonsai techniques over the course of a hot afternoon. Betty was an active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where she had many roles; past-president of Philoptochos, tireless volunteer for the Church’s annual bake sale, hostess for many holiday parties, and a strict Sunday School teacher (according to “well behaved” son James). Betty met her husband Ange during a church trip to Greece in July of 1963, where he was smitten at first site. Ange took care of Betty during her proud fight with cancer and was her constant companion at all times. Betty was preceded in death by her mother Georgia and father Gus Yeotis. Betty was a devoted mother and doting “Yia Yia” (grandmother) to Evan and Ian.

Betty will always be remembered for providing an open door to countless friends, distant relations and neighbors. Betty was and will always be cherished by her family for her many talents, compassion and zest for life.

Visitation will be held this Wednesday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw in Lansing, from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with a Trisagion at 7:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be performed by Father Mark Sietsema at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 E. Saginaw St., at 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 27, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Angelos J. and Betty Yeotis Vlahakis SIRC Scholarship in The School of Hospitality Business”, c/o Authella Hawks, 645 N. Shaw Lane, Room 227, East Lansing, MI 48824-1121, or the Betty Yeotis Vlahakis Memorial Children’s Educational Fund c/o Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.