Nina Papas

Nina Papas , 92, passed away on November 3, 2022.
Nina was born on November 29, 1929, as Stamatina Xihopadis in Piraeus, Greece to the late Ioannis and Koula (nee Virvilis), parents who made many sacrifices for her family’s welfare. When she was sixteen years old, Nina left Greece with her mother and brother to reunite with her father who was already working in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Southwestern High School and then from a program at the Detroit Business Institute for comptometer operator and secretarial skills.
On April 27, 1952, Nina married Pete (Takis) Papas (Papayannakis) who she first met when they took English lessons together in Piraeus a few years earlier. After her husband served two years in the U.S. Army, she settled with him in Akron, Ohio. For over two decades, she and Pete also resided in Greece and in Tarpon Springs, Florida for portions of the year.
Before having her children, Nina worked at Chrysler Corporation in the Detroit area and later at Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Akron. Once her children were born, she aided her husband in his business endeavors.
Nina was a longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Philoptochos Society, the Daughters of Penelope, and the Pan Cretan Association. She was fortunate to have traveled extensively with her husband after his retirement.
Nina was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother (Yiayia). Her life revolved around caring for her family members and they were her greatest joy. Her family benefited tremendously from her helpfulness, and they adored her delicious Greek cooking.
Nina was preceded in death by her cherished husband of 59 years and her beloved parents and brother, Peter Padis. She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Maria (Jan) Heide of Madison, Wisconsin; her son, Bill (Katerina) Papas of Bath; and her grandchildren, Henrik and Jannike Heide, Liz (Mike) Murphy, and Pete and Constantine Papas. Nina is also survived by her nieces, Mary (Tom) File of Akron, Voula Petrolekas of Greece, and Carol Rourk of Florida; her nephews, John Padis of California, and Paul Papas of Uniontown; her Godchildren, Argie Manolis of Minnesota, and John Saviolis of Arizona; koumbari; additional relatives in other parts of the U.S. and in Greece; and friends near and far.
The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, November 9, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, Ohio 44304. Rev. Fr. Dean Kokanos will be officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 am until the start of the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or to the Pan Cretan Association of Akron Scholarship Fund. The address for both is 129 S. Union St., Akron, Ohio 44304.
Nina’s family members would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those at Brookdale Bath and Hospice (both Cleveland Clinic and Summa) who attended to her health and other needs this past year. They also want to warmly thank the health care professionals who oversaw her care at different times in the past.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.