Obituary of Dorothea Zotos

ZOTOS Dorothea, age 82, died peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2012 Born in the northern Epirus region of Greece, she came to NJ in her early twenties, got married, and raised her family with love and pride. Dorothy always had a home filled with good food, good friends, and plenty of relatives coming to visit. She lived most of her adult life in Weehawken and Waldwick NJ before moving to Toms River twenty years ago. Dorothy was very active in the NJ Greek Orthodox Church communities, from singing in the Choir, fundraising with the Philoptochos, working earnestly at all the Greek Festivals, and socializing with Kali Parea. She was an avid contributor to Project Linus, a non-profit enterprise that provides crocheted baby blankets to hospitals. Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved husband Timoleon and her daughter Melanie Ballai. She is survived by her loving children Harriet and Fred Callis of Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Joanne and Sean Diver of Doylestown, PA and Mike and Lynn Ballai of Kinnelon, NJ. She was a terrific yiayia to her eight grandchildren and an unfailing presence in their lives. Yiayia will be remembered for making them great meals and offering them constant advice for their lives. She didn't have a selfish bone in her body, always caring for her younger sister Anna Panagiotopoulos of Wantagh, Long Island and brother Nicholas and wife Marcia Fidis of Easton, Md, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Everyone was crazy about her! Friends may visit the family on Sunday, 2-6 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, 10 AM at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 467 Grandview Ave., Wyckoff, NJ, followed by interment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.