LEONARDOS, NITSA Nitsa Leonardos, age 101, went to be with the Lord and see her family in Heaven on September 21, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband Peter, her twin sister Kiki, sisters Lambrini, Bessie and Tashia and brothers Gus, Nick and Taki. She is survived by her sons John (Wendy) Leonardos of Erie PA.; George (Stephanie) of Ada Michigan; grandchildren John, Rick, Lori (John Irwin) Leonardos, Stephanie (Michael) Ragon, Christina (Michael) Rosloniec, Nicholas "Niko" Leonardos; great-grandchildren Alexandra Nitsa Irwin; Jonathan, Benjamin, Nicholas, Stephanie and Maria Ragon; Anna and Ella Rosloniec, and many adoring nieces and nephews throughout the U.S and Greece. Nikolitsa (Nitsa) was born to George and Maria Dussias and grew up with eight brothers and sisters ina small beautiful mountainside village of Greece in the Peloponnese Peninsula, Achladokambos. As a young bride, she and her husband loved to dance and she was always an outstanding cook, a skill she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She emigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in New Castle, Pennsylvania with her husband and twp sons where the Greek church community was an important part of her adjustment to her new country. When her husband died she returned temporarily to her home in Greece where she welcomed many of her family from the United States to vacation and visit with her. Nitsa was a world traveler including trips to Jerusalem and other parts of the Middle East, Europe, Canada and throughout the USA. All who met her knew her sweetness, kindness, graciousness and the beauty of her Greek culture. When she again returned to live in the United States in Grand Rapids, Michigan, her new friends at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church welcomed her and continued to bring her companionship and love and devotion to her faith. She was also happily reunited with her cousin, Katie Afendoulis, whose mother too was from Achladokambos. The center of her life revolved around her loving family. She taught us all to cook. She enjoyed entertaining well into her 90's, living independently. No one was a stranger. She was welcoming, forgiving and accepting. Her heart was always full of love and joy. She taught us many wonderful loving lessons in her long life and we, as a family, will live that precious legacy with honor everyday for "Yiayia". The family will meet friends and family at Metcalf & Jonkhoff funeral chapel on Tuesday, September 24, 7:00 - 9:00 pm where a Trisagion service will take place at 8:00 pm with Fr. Nick Marcus and Fr. James Bogdan officiating. Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday, September 25 at 11:00 am. Graveside services and burial will be in New Castle, PA at Oak Park Cemetery. The family thanks Clark Retirement Community and Faith Hospice for their care. Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.The family is being served by

Published in Grand Rapids Press from September 23 to September 24, 2013 .