Helen Kotsionis Triantis

Helen Kotsionis Triantis, 81, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, after a prolonged illness. She was born on February 23, 1938, and raised in the Greek village of Kalesmenos, Greece.She was the only child of Dionisios and Theodora Kotsionis.At the age of 19, she married Dennis K. Triantis and she immigrated to the U.S.After a short stay in Greensboro, NC, they settled in Florence, SC.They were owners of a downtown restaurant, the “Boston Café”, until she was prematurely widowed in 1971.In spite of this and early onset of a chronic illness, she never gave up.She raised three children, took care of immigrant parents, and forged a successful career in Florence real estate and investment.She was greatly admired and will be remembered for her self-reliance, intelligence, and sense of humor.Her devotion was not limited to her immediate family, but also to her friends and extended family in Florence and Greece.As one of the founding members of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, she remained passionate and active in all aspects of church life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis K. Triantis, and subsequently her parents. She is survived by her two sons, Deno Triantis and Jim Triantis; daughter, Lola (Greg) San; and three granddaughters, Zoe (Deno) Triantis, Eleni San, and Alexa San. A Trisagion service will be held at 10:00 am Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church with the family receiving friends afterwards and the funeral service to follow at 11:00.Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Helen’s memory to the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 2990 S. Cashua Drive, Florence, SC 29501. Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.