Panagioula Golematis Vlachos, 88, passed peacefully on December 30, 2023 with her loving family besides her. Born in 1935 in Thesvi, Theveon, Greece she was the cherished daughter of the late Haralambos Golematis and Alexandra (Kollias) Golematis. Panagioula resided in Kearny, New Jersey.
Panagioula immigrated to the United States in 1952 with her younger brother, Alex Golematis, under the Orphan Act. This Act was mainly intended for people from Southern Europe. An Act for the relief of certain refugees, and orphans. She worked hard, learned the language and became an American citizen. She went back to Greece in 1958 and married the late George Vlachos, the love of her life, and brought him back to the United States. Together as a team they worked hard and sponsored all their siblings and their families to the United States.
Panagioula was a person who radiated love for all. She was a person of profound faith and knowledge and imparted all her kind wisdom to anyone seeking her advice but especially to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Panagioula’s memory will be treasured by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to experience her pure joy and happiness as well as her ability to light up a room as she entered it always with love for all.
Panagioula is predeceased by her parents, Haralambos Golematis, Alexandra (Kollias) Golematis, her siblings, Dimitrios Golematis, Athanasios Golematis, Triandafilia Golematis, Maria Golematis, Vassilios Golematis, Eleni (Golematis) Mihalis, Ekaterina (Golematis) Karadimos, and the love of her life, her husband, George Vlachos.
Panagioula is survived by her daughters, Konstantina Vlachos Keastead and her husband Scott Keastead, Alexandra Kontos and her husband Christos Kontos. Her grandchildren who loved and adored her, Christy Kontos Jordan and her husband Reilly Jordan, Julia Kontos and her fiancé, Joe O’Brien and Mikayla Georgia Keastead. Panagioula was also blessed to have great grandchildren who always were able to bring a smile to her day, Calliope Margaret Jordan and Sophie Elise Jordan. Panagioula is also survived by her brother, Alex Golematis and many nieces and nephews.
Panagioula’s presence will always be felt here, in the way we take care of each other, in the tenderness which we have for each other as we try to fill the unfillable shoes of this amazing woman who graced this earth.
A viewing will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818 Valley Road, Clifton, New Jersey, January 3, 2024 at 9:30 to 11:00 am followed immediately by a service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
