Helen Ballos Ponish

PONISH, Helen Ballos, 87, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Wheaton, Md., born September 15, 1923, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Paul Ponish, of 53 years; her parents, John and Eva Ballos; her brother, Mike Ballos; and her sister, Dorothy Ballos Devor. She is survived by her son, John Stephen Ponish and his wife, Karen Kidd Ponish; her daughter, Doreene Ponish Iezzi and her husband, John Andrew Iezzi; and six grandchildren, Kristin Ponish, Haden Ponish and Kaitlin Ponish of Wise, Va., and Johnny Iezzi, Lauren Iezzi and Allison Iezzi of Richmond, Va.

She was raised in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941. Early in her working career, she worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was there and through bowling that she met and married her late husband, John. She raised her family as a military wife, traveling around the country and finally settling in Wheaton, Md., where her children grew up and attended school. Helen worked for People's Security Bank and later Citizens Bank for numerous years and finally retired in 1986. She and the family were members of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. In 2003, Helen and John moved to Richmond, Va., to be near their daughter, Doreene and her family. Our family has been blessed with Fannie "Louise" Woody, a loving and attentive caregiver for both Helen and John, prior to both of their passing to be with our Lord. She will always be remembered as a loving and devoted wife and as "GiaGia'" to her children and grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Va. 23229. Funeral services will be held in the Ft. Meyer Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, January 14, 2011, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2815 36th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007-1424.