Helen Gantsoudes

Helen Kanos Gantsoudes passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2016.                She was born in Fayetteville, NC on January 11, 1919 to Lucy Underwood Kanos , a native of Waynesville, NC, and James V. Kanos, an immigrant from central Greece.                She was predeceased by her husband George, her sons James and Peter, her brother William Kanos and her sisters, Olga Fermanides Magdalene Katsoudas and Marie Keretses.                Helen was a kind, generous, loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her ultimate joy was to spend time with her family.  She traveled extensively in this country and abroad, and especially enjoyed her many trips to Greece.                She was a community volunteer for many years and a faithful and longtime member of Saint Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church.                 Helen is survived by her daughter, Betsy Gantsoudes Robeson and her husband, Dr. Steven Robeson, of Santa Fe, NM, her grandchildren; Andrew Robeson of Denver, CO, Christina Thomson and husband Kevin of New Canaan, CT, Dr. George Gantsoudes and wife Alexis of Vienna, VA, Alexis Ratz and husband Brent of Winchester, MA, Josie Calamari and husband Matt of Atlanta, GA, Lillian L. Gantsoudes of Charlotte, NC, Sarah Gantsoudes of Madison, VA and Spencer and Nick Gantsoudes both of New York City.  She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren and by two brothers, Nick Kanos and wife Rose Marie of Tarpon Springs, FL, and Chris Kanos and wife Elaine of Stamford, CT.  She leaves behind two daughters-in-law, Martha Gantsoudes of Madison, VA and Lillian R. Gantsoudes of Atlanta, GA.                A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Saint Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church followed by visitation.  The funeral service conducted by Reverend Sam Gantt will begin at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.                In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church, 116 Jefferson Avenue, Danville, VA  24541 , to the Gantsoudes Scholarship Fund, Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA  24541, or to the charity of your choice.                Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is serving the Gantsoudes family.