Olga Zeppos

Olga Zeppos, age 100, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023 at her home with her devoted caregivers at her side after a long period of declining health. Throughout her struggle she always maintained her sharp wit and spunk.  Despite her failing health, she always knew that all the people that surrounded her were “family” and that they loved her. 

Olga was the daughter of Greek immigrants and a life-long resident of Syracuse and member of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church.  Olga was trained as a stenographer and worked at L.C. Smith, the typewriter manufacturer.  She met and married her husband, George Zeppos, a merchant seaman from Chios, Greece and a veteran of World War II, who proudly attained US citizenship.  George passed away in 1998 after they had been married for almost 50 years.

Olga was always a fierce advocate for her handicapped daughter Joyce during an era where accommodations and inclusion for those with disabilities were unheard of.  Her steadfast devotion to Joyce’s care and well-being consumed her until the end.  Through her efforts, Joyce currently is able to live in her own apartment with the help of loving and devoted caregivers.  Olga was also always a firm believer in the value of education and instilled that value in her daughter Sheila, encouraging her to pursue higher education.  In her later years, Olga attended Onondaga Community College to pursue her own dream of higher education.  She worked hard to pass many civil service exams and attained a position of court clerk in the Supreme Court in Syracuse where she served proudly for 18 years. 

Olga was a member of and served as president of the Daughters of Penelope, a Greek philanthropic women’s organization.  With 40 years of outstanding service and dedication, the Daughters’ national headquarters awarded her a Certificate of Meritorious Service and a lifetime membership in the organization.

Surviving Olga are her two daughters, Sheila Balke (Thomas) of Buffalo and Joyce Zeppos of Syracuse. She was the beloved grandmother of Shannon Balke (Walter Impellicceiri) of Pittsburgh and Jessica Balke of Los Angeles.  She was blessed to celebrate her 100^th birthday and the birth of her great-grandchild, Amity Rose the daughter of Shannon and Walt, before she passed.

Calling hours will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday April 4^th at the Burns Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee Street, Syracuse.  The Greek Orthodox Trisagion service will be performed at the funeral home.

The Orthodox Divine Liturgy service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday April 5^th at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 325 Waring Road, Dewitt, followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.