Dimitra Pelekanos, wife of the late Panagiotis “Pete” Pelekanos, mother of Panagiota (Frederick) Walters and Georgia Pelekanos, fell asleep peacefully in the Lord on November 6, 2025 at the blessed age of 93, surrounded by her beloved Orthodox icons and the love of her family.
Dimitra Pelekanos was born on April 11, 1932 in Mytilene, Lesvos, nearly ten years after her parents, Mihalis Limnios and Panagiota Kapetanaki, escaped from the “Great Smyrna Fire” of 1922 during the Turkish invasion of the coastal towns of Asia Minor. With God’s blessing, her parents settled on Lesvos where, for many years, they lived peacefully and joyously on this idyllic island. Dimitra loved her childhood, which she remembers as being filled with countless hours of playing in the dust-covered streets of Apano Skala (Mytilene’s refugee section) and swimming in the sea. Unfortunately, these carefree times vanished with the Nazi occupation of Lesvos, giving rise to fear and uncertainty. With decreasing food supplies and other essentials, Dimitra went to work at an incredibly early age to support her family, either working in the macaroni factories with her older sister Ioanna and brother Vasili or helping her sister Athanasia in the family’s one room seamstress shop.
Following the war, Dimitra moved to the mainland (Elefsina, Greece) to help care for her nephew who was critically ill with German measles. While in Elefsina, she also attended beauty school and worked part time as a hairdresser. In 1956, she returned to Mytilene where she met her husband who was building a house across the street from hers. They were married in 1959 and had two daughters Panagiota and Georgia. The family moved to St. Louis in August 1967 where Dimitra worked in various garment factories and later retired to homemaker. It was in her role as homemaker where she excelled as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, excellent cook, and remarkable caregiver of her disabled daughter, Georgia.
Dimitra enjoyed living in St. Louis and spending time with her family and friends, including her dearest and most cherished friend, Jeanne Pappas…a remarkable friendship that lasted nearly 50 years.
Among the happiest times of her life were the summers she spent with Pete and Georgia on Lesvos Island and with her grandchildren Chrysovalantou (Devin) Florez, and Eleni and Isaak Chrysovalantis Walters. She simply adored them and immersed herself in their lives. In essence, she was the classic Greek Yiayia providing unconditional love, spiritual guidance, comfort, and support to her entire family.
May your kind and loving heart shine light in our lives forever, and may your Memory be Eternal.
Service: Visitation at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (1755 Des Peres RD. 63131) Monday November 10, 9:30 AM until service at 10:00 AM. Interment St. Matthew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church,