Obituary of Jennie S. "Yia Yia" (Spiliotis) Retos

Jennie S. “Yia Yia” (Spiliotis) Retos, 84, of Peabody, wife of the late James B. “Barney” Retos, died surrounded by her family on Tuesday July 31, 2007 at her home after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Retos was born on January 19, 1923 in Peabody, daughter of the late Louis and Anastacia (Albani) Spiliotis. She was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1942 and was a lifelong resident of the city. Mrs. Retos began her working career as an assembler at GTE Sylvania in Salem and later on worked in the meat departments for 15 years at the First National and Giant Value Stores until her retirement in 1988. She loved cooking and entertaining her family and extended families at Holiday dinners and enjoyed sewing, traveling and doing yard work. Also known as Yia Yia and being family oriented she helped raise her grandson for many years. She is survived by her grandson, James “J.J.” Retos and his daughter, Kylee Ann Retos both of Salem; a granddaughter, Sheryl Ann Retos; 3 sisters, Helen McDonald, Virginia and Edwin Dutille all of Peabody and Connie and John Perakis of Lewiston NY; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grandnephews. Her son James W. “Jaime” Retos and her siblings, Connie Spiliotis, Emily Lawrence, Isabelle Koulas, Mary Espinola, Paul, George and Andrew Spiliotis pre deceased her. Her funeral will be held on Saturday August 4, 2007 at 10 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., (downtown location) Peabody followed by a service at 11 a.m. in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held at the 20 Church St. downtown location on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem.