(1941 – 2022)
Bolton – Penny Vlahos, 80, of Bolton went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, surrounded by her son and daughter. Penny was the loving mother of George and his wife Jenn, Ephie and her husband George Housh. Proud grandmother ‘Yia Yia’ of Dustin, Kristen (Matthew), Jacob, Andrew, and Eli. Born in Magoula, Sparta, Greece on July 28, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Leonidas and Barbara (Varvitsiotis) Vissas. Penny had two older brothers and four sisters. Penny was predeceased by her parents and all her siblings: Jimmy, Pete, Evgenia, Dina, Eleftheria, and Maria. Penny came to Canada in 1963, and married Peter Vlahos in 1967, raising two children in Bolton. Penny and Peter were owners of the Bolton Drive Inn Restaurant for several years until they retired in 2006. For those who knew Penny, she loved Jesus and she loved family. Penny always welcomed anyone with open arms and made them feel like one of her own grandchildren, she was Yia Yia to everyone. Penny always selflessly served her church family and those around her with unconditional love. You could always expect to be greeted with a hug and two kisses, one on each cheek. She will be remembered for her famous Greek cookies ‘Yia Yia Cookies’.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S., Bolton, on Thursday, June 30 from 1:30 until time of memorial service in the chapel at 3 o’clock. Reception to follow at the funeral home for those who wish to gather and visit with the family.
The family invites those who wish to view the service to do so through live streaming with the following link:
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=c7f42c5f-f01d-4bcb-9b80-6a0f466070e6
You can watch the service on Thursday at 3 o’clock or any time after at a more convenient time for yourself.
You will be required to register for the service and then they will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link. If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. If you need to leave a message on their answering machine, they will return your call promptly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following charities, The Compassion Fund at Bolton The Well Church by following the link:
https://thewell-communitychurch.churchcenter.com/giving?open-in-church-center-modal=true
or ALS Society of Canada in support of Collin McKenzie and the McKenzie family by following the link:
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com.
Foula Skaltsiotis
Dear Ephie, George & families
It is with a broken heart I read about your mom’s passing. I will always remember her smile and the smile she put on all of our faces.
The tickles she would give us brought us to uncontrollable laughter back in the day when we lived in the same house. Too many memories to mention.
Thinking of you all during this very difficult time. Our thoughts & prayers go out to all of you.
Our deepest condolences to the whole family. May she Rest In Peace
Foula & Bob Skaltsiotis xo
Katie Hashimoto
I still remember the day that I met Yia Yia at the restaurant. She was the absolute sweetest! Sincere condolences and love to George and Ephie and their families. It’s been a few years but I certainly will always remember her kindness.
Paolo baldassarra
My deepest condolences to the family.
Our prayers are with you.
Baldassarra family
Goretti Medeiros
Our deepest sympathies to the family. Our thoughts are with you and may your happy memories give you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Lou and Goretti
Jim and Heidi sant
Ephie and family,
Brother George and family,
May your mother RIP she will always be remembered as a kind hard working lady at the restaurant in Bolton. Those unforgettable steak on a bun and three piece chicken. Thinking of you guys. Our condolences jim and Heidi Sant
Maureen Bruce
A quiet, sincere woman, who loved her family. I remember her so fondly at the Bolton Drive-in. So many memories, hold them close.
Esther Marculewicz
Condolences to your family. We loved Yiayia and we will miss her. We were blessed to have her with us and receive her loving hugs, kisses and cookies
Angie Housh
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother
Ephie & George & loving grandmother.
She was always so sweet & kind & was
the Best Cook. Thinking of you
Rob and Krista Voigt
George and Ephie,
You and your families will be in our hearts and thoughts.
You have our deepest condolences.
I have the fondest of memories of your mom. They make me smile and will continue into the future.
Deira and Rob Roberts
Penny was such a sweet lady. She made everyone feel important and loved. That is a rare quality that will be greatly missed.
Deborah Fisk
Our deepest sympathy Ephie and George and family. Stephen and I got to meet your mum at a few church events. She was a wonderful, kind, giving, prayer filled woman. Praying for you all in this time of grief and separation. May God fill your heart with peace.
((Many youth will always remember Yaya’s cookies))
John Tsourounis
A beautiful gentle soul my condolences and love to the family and friends of Thea Penny may she Rest In Peace
Barbara Rotter
My condolences for your loss. Our sweet gentle Theia… May her memory be eternal.
Mani and Family
My deepest condolences to the family.
She will be with god and will guide you in the future.
May god give the family courage and confidence during this difficult time.
Beverly Morton
George, Ephie and families, I am so sorry to hear of Penny’s passing. She was a lovely lady. May all your wonderful memories over the years carry you through this loss.
Sue-Ann (McQuoid) Vanderpol
George, Ephie and families. So sorry to hear of Penny’s passing. She was such a gentle soul. I have many wonderful memories of her.
Marnie Singleton
George,
To you and your family, may all your wonderful memories bring you comfort at this time.
Marnie Singleton
Wendy Wilson
Sending my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to George and his family. Praying for you that the Holy Spirit gives you peace and comfort during this challenging time. May the memories you have with her, live forever within your heart.
Ron & Julie Housh
Yiayia will always have a very special place in our hearts! She was the most loving and caring person; she always had her arms open in greeting with amazing hugs and a kiss on both cheeks ! And always wrapped up cookies for me to take home 🙂
George and Ephie and your loved ones; we are thinking of you all as you hold all your wonderful memories of your mother close to your hearts and know you will get to see her again as we trust in God’s promises !
Jassal family
Sending our deepest condolences to the Houshes and the Vlhaos family
Penny will be sorely missed.she was such a loving person and so open to anyone who needed help.it is a tragedy that we have lost her.but she is at peace now with Jesus and that’s our only consolation.we wish the two families well and hope god grants them the courage to carry this loss
Christina & the DePalma Family
Sending our deepest condolences to the Housh Family. Penny was a treasured friend and will be missed greatly. God’s love is a light that can reach all corners of the earth. Lend your worries to Him and know that you are loved. We are praying for you in your grief.
Tammy Downey
Ephie, George and family,
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom. Lots of fond memories of her at the restaurant.
Ross & Tammy Downey
Dave
Penny will be missed,
She is with peter now
Effie let me know
If there is anything you need
Dave Fuller
Fullerfredrick8 @gmail.com
Dave
Peter and penny was very good
To all customers at restaurant
And i will miss the talking
With penny and peter,they were so
Good to me , forever in my heart
Krista Lloyd
Ephie, George and families. My deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom.
Thinking of you all.
Krista Lloyd (Venning)
Joy Croft
George, Ephie and family, our deepest condolences to you on the passing of your Mother.
Gord and Joy Croft
Tony Poldrugovac
Dear Ephie, George, and family.
We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family. May you have
the peace and comfort knowing that to be absent from the body is to be
present with the Lord. I met Penny a few times over the years. She always
made me feel welcome with a big hug and smile.
Poldrugovac family
Melony Patrick
I met Penny at church, however when she introduced herself to me she said to call her Yia Yia. She told me that everyone calls her that. She made me feel at home and greeted us every Sunday with a smile. Sending our condolences to her family at this time of loss. She was loved by everyone.
God bless. Sending love and prayers.
Melony Patrick and Family
Moffatt Family
Our sincere condolences to the Vlahos family, many happy memories, as regular customers at the restaurant, Penny always greeted you with a smile and a hello. God bless at this difficult time
Diane Killam
Dear Ephie, George and families. I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. My sincere condolences to you all. She was such a sweet, sweet lady. She gave the best hugs and kisses to so many of us. She will be missed. Keep those memories of her close. I’m sure you have many.
Janet McCormack
Ephie, George and family…
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Yia yia…you can see from the posts here…she was very well loved❤ hugs to all.
Jeff Pervanas
Dear Ephie and George,
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your mother.
She was kind-hearted, thoughtful, and a wonderful lifelong friend. She will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Pervanas Family
Alma Laderoute
I will always remember this sweet lady with respect it was a pleasure knowing her . Deepest condolences from the Laderoute families
Ken Graham
To George, Ephie,, Peter and families.
I got to meet the Vlahos family when teaching rwo of the nicest students you could meet- George and Ephie. They meant everything to Penny and she smiled with pride when I met her. I feel sorry for your loss of such a kind, friendly and humble lady that so many people admired. Ken Graham
Sharon Flood
George,
This should bring a smile to your face. Remember when you had to make a video for your English class and it was called “Suck ’em up Paper Towels”? You had a great audience with Lesley’s relatives watching your team (Gaynor Rogers, Mike Weber, Lesley Flood and George) film at our house. Everyone was laughing so hard, in fact, so hard that you, George, had to duck below the kitchen sink so you weren’t laughing in the recorded video!! Those were some good times. We send you peace at this time (along with some giggles).
With condolences,
Sharon, Kelly, Lesley and Michael Flood
Collin and Lori McKenzie
Dear Ephie and George,
We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother who we fondly called Yia Yia.
She was the most selfless person we knew who always helped others first. Even while Yia Yia was suffering with cancer she was so concerned about Collin’ ALS and our family . We will forever miss our prayer warrior here on earth but now we have an angel in heaven praying for us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with both your families at this difficult time.
Love from the McKenzie family.
The McLean Family
George, Ephie and your families,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your mom.
Cherish the memories of your mom and Yia yia.
On a lighter note, Rob cherished your mom’s roasted potatoes with lemon in the hour between school and work at Zehrs, lol!! Thank you Penny
Rob and Jen McLean, Bill and Lynne McLean
Jennifer Gillespie
Dear Penny, how I will miss you. We shared a home for so many years, I remember the laughs we had together when watching the old black and white movies (Fred Astaire etc.) on Saturday nights. I am still using the great Greek recipes you taught me. A thoughtful, gentle soul, lovingly remembered.
Sincere condolences to Ephie, George, Jenn and your respective families.
With love and blessings.
Jennifer
Ashley & Christian Andersen
I was saddened to hear of your passing Penny. I was grateful of your kindness and support to my mother and our family over the years, you will be missed. I would also like to relay a message from my nephew, Christian. He had many prayers sent to him from you through his Granny, Jennifer, they helped him through some difficult times.
Deepest sympathy to Ephie, George and families.
Fondly Ashley and Christian Andersen
Brian and Lynn Miller
From the first time your mother opened the door of her house to us we were family! I will miss her smile, her double cheeked kiss and her Greek accent. She was so very proud of both her children and was a wonderful, loving yaya to her grandchildren.
We will miss you, Penny, but we know that one day we will see you again! Praise Jesus!
Colleen Lawlor
George, Jen, Eli and family,
We Share with you in your grief and send our heartfelt condolences in the passing of your beautiful mother. We also share in the celebration that she is with her Lord and Saviour well, free and praying at total peace until you meet again.
Sending our love and prayers to you all as you heal and celebrate her.
Voula Tsoutsouras
Dear Ephie, George, and families,
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Theia Potoula will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
With all our love,
Voula and Sotiris
Mike & Judy Lewis
George & Ephie and family,
Our deepest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mom. I cherish the memories of visiting your house and restaurant and always receiving an incredibly warm welcome from both of your parents.
Thinking of you all,
Cam Lindsey
Penny and Peter were our beloved “work neighbours” in the Bolton plaza for many years as our office was next door to their restaurant. Penny was a sweet lady with a welcoming smile. She will be missed by many. Condolences to the whole family.
Elyse Chan
Ephie, George and family,
Our deepest condolences. We remember your mother as always having a quiet smile on her lovely face and such a gentle manner with everyone. Our hearts are with you.
Elyse, Rich and girls