Helen A. Yampanis

My Mother My Hero

Helen Asimakis Yampanis

October 12, 1925 - June 5, 2024

The Orthodox Funeral Services

Trisagion & Reception

Sunday, June 9, 2024

6:00 p.m.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Funeral, Luncheon & Graveside

Monday, June 10, 2024

11:00 a.m. Funeral & Luncheon

2:00 p.m. Graveside Service

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Helen Asimakis Yampanis

Strong, beautiful, bold, short and tiny but powerful, beyond smart, people smart & didn’t suffer fools ….

She was fierce, a force of nature…..

Flushed out the truth, spoke her mind, feisty & fun ….a fighter.

The Crozier Tech Cheerleader – always mischievous in a good way….

To quote Congressman Reverend J. C. Watts, Jr., “You might be prepared, but you are never ready.”

Next to the youngest of the Asimakis kids, Angel Pappas, the baby and her partner in crime, lived together up to the end. They grew up with her other brothers and sisters: Harry Asimakis, Louis Asimakis, Pyra Calligas, Mary Janavaris and Angel Pappas on Sanger Avenue in South Dallas with their mother Stella and father Charles Asimakis. Worked at her father’s Marathon Diner on Akard – eating her weight (which wasn’t very much) in ice cream.

Attended the Greek Orthodox Church on Riggs and then on Swiss & finally home at Holy Trinity at Hillcrest & Alpha. Currently, was the oldest member of the parish and rose proudly each year for the Vasilopeta in January to accept the honor. A proud member of Philoptochos & the Daughters of Penelope and served as President of the Philoptochos. Served on the Committee which started the first Greek Pastry Sale Luncheon & Fashion Show which has grown into the Food Festival event it is today. She served as Pastry Co-Chair for many years and assisted throughout the years. She was very particular and strict about the her beautiful Greek food and pastries she would make – making sure the edges were just right, making syrup by hand for the baklava as it sizzled as she poured it on as it came out of the oven.

Married to the love of her life, Paul Yampanis who proposed on the blind date and she laughed …. they were married 3 months later on September 10, 1954. Had one daughter, Tina, who were two peas in a pod. Traveled, lived life to the fullest, raised her daughter in the church and taught her to love Jesus Christ first and put Him first in her life.

Loved her work and clients of 58 years at Neiman Marcus – her second family - outlasted the Neimans & Marcus families…..Icon of the store…..they even named the kitchen after her! Began her Neimans career in the Toy Department then moved to Childrens Department and spent the last 30 years in Couture. Blessed to have many wonderful Neimans friends who checked on her to the end.

Always did the right thing even when hard or inconvenient. Always the life of the party ….

Some favorite Helenisms…

“That jello has been set”

“When you are dating them Tina, that is the best they will ever be”

“What’s their real problem”

“You think”

“If you can party all night, then you sure can go to church”

“The world is a green pea”

“People do what they want to do – no more or no less”

On Thursday, June 5, 2024 Helen Yampanis took her last breath at Home on Ridgelawn, closed her eyes and left her earthly body for her reward in Heaven.

Helen Yampanis is survived by her daughter Christina (Tina) Yampanis and her sister, Angel Pappas, many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. Thank you to Godson & nephew Arthur John & Misti Athens, Charles & Christina Pappas along with Aliki & Constantine Pappas who were right there until the end. Many thanks to all who assisted during her final days, Father Mark Pakes, Don Bubba Burris (her adoptive son) and so many other family & dear friends. Great appreciation to the health care workers at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas & Heart to Heart Hospice who work so tirelessly each day to make her comfortable.

The most difficult part of life is saying goodbye to the person who brought you into the world. Helen always glowed. The one who loved you without a moment of hesitation, reservation or condition, the person who was always there and never doubted you for a second.

She celebrated each success, happy time or political campaign win or who took care of you when you were sick, injured or hurting. She was a member of the Richardson Republican Women’s Club and participated in many campaigns of Presidents, Congressional, Governors, Judicial, Senate & House members, Commissioners, Sheriffs, District Attorneys & City Council. The ultimate cheerleader - positive & optimistic! Always the school mom who took everyone to learn to roller skate at Deubacks, Girl Scout Cookie Chairman for all of Dallas - remembering dad saying-looking in the garage filled to the ceiling with boxes "Helen, how are we going to rid of these cookies?" Always the planner, she sent me to the car dealership to sell the cookies on the showroom floor. Done. Love the UT Austin years full of fun and laughter. She loved law enforcement and the North Texas Crime Commission-she greeted each hero at each month’s event with a smile and gratitude.

She believed in me, prayed for you and offered her advice bringing you back to reality. Mom was my friend, my mentor, my wise counselor, and encouraged me to follow my dreams but always the voice of reality.

Helen Yampanis created a beautiful, happy home which was the center for all to come and everyone was always welcomed. Party central....full of laughter, good food and wonderful memories.

All our lives, it has always been the two of us since my dad passed away, but you – our family and friends, have made our lives complete.

I miss you every second already. Thank you for giving all you had to me and everyone around you. We are all better for knowing you and we will go on with you in our hearts, minds and soul. You were one of a kind with the gorgeous smile which I will miss every day. May Jesus keep you. I love you Mom…..

Officiants

Reverend Father Mark Pakes, Proistamenos

Reverend Father William Damaskos, Assistant Priest

Honorary Pallbearers

Colonel Arthur John Athens

Honorable Mike Cantrell

Honorable John Carona

James Christon

Justice David Evans

Greg Gatjanis

Frank Mihalopoulos

James Morris

Joe Shearin

Honorable J. C. Watts, Jr.

Judge Ray Wheless

Pallbearers

Arthur Brousseau

Chris Gatjanis

Gene Goodwin

John Goodwin

Dimitri Morris

Dr. John Pappadas

In Lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen Asimakis Yampanis may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas 75240 or the North Texas Crime Commission, PO Box 601723, Dallas, Texas 75360-1723.