Dionysia Petropoulos Athans

1936 - 2025

Dionysia ("Denise" or "Sia") Petropoulos Athans, a beloved member of the Charlotte community, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in Amaliada, Greece on December 8, 1936, Sia was the daughter of Themistocles and Panagiota Petropoulos; wife to the deceased George Athans for 62 years; mother; grandmother and great-grandmother.

Sia arrived in America in 1961, on the arm of her handsome new husband, George. George had immigrated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1956. Hard-working and industrious, he had big plans for his future in the land of opportunity. On a trip to Greece, he met Sia and knew he wasn't leaving without her. He stayed longer than planned, married the woman of his dreams and proudly brought her to his new home. Sia, as adventurous as she was fearless, quickly fell in love with the bustling Charlotte community and they with her.

Together, George and Sia opened their first restaurant, the Steak Palace, in 1963. Two years later, they opened the Meadowview Steak House in neighboring Matthews. Over the next forty years, Sia enthusiastically welcomed each and every customer as they walked in the door, always with a bright smile and warm hug. The Meadowview became a local favorite and was consistently awarded top honors from the cities of Charlotte and Matthews.

For both Sia and George, customers became lifelong friends. Countless engagement, wedding and retirement parties were celebrated at the Meadowview, with George and Sia proudly treating after-dinner drinks at night's end.

Sia was an exceptional mother to Athanasios ("Tom") Athans and Themis ("Tammy") Athans Conits. She considered motherhood the greatest purpose of her life and devoted herself selflessly to the happiness and success of her children. She exemplified virtue, humility and grace, thus instilling priceless values in her family. She tirelessly extended her worthy pursuits to her beloved grandchildren, Ioannis ("Ian") George Conits (Eleni) and Athena ("Nina") Denise Conits Marflake (Matt), consistently teaching them the importance of integrity, hard work and kindness.Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. And her great-granddaughter, Maria Conits, her "little darling".

Sia was an active, lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte. She was a regular and generous church volunteer, always choosing to stay under the radar, rather than in the spotlight. She was a member of countless church clubs and committees throughout her life. An accomplished cook, she helped publish the award-winning cookbook, A Taste Of Greek Traditions, featuring some of her very own recipes.

Sia will always be remembered by all who were privileged to know her. Her incredible confidence, beauty and style was one reason: Sia always looked like a movie star, whether she was working, cooking or at a black tie event. Her voice was another: when she sang, it was ethereal; and when she gave advice, it was honest and impactful.

But the main reason Sia's stamp on this world will endure is that she was the definition of a lady. She was beauty, grace and strength, grounded by faith, wisdom and love. There are those few and far between people whose legacy endures beyond space and time. Sia Athans was one of them.

Sia was laid to rest on a pristine mountaintop in Mikro Horio, Greece, the village where George was born and where the two of them loved to spend time. George is resting beside her. No doubt, he has been patiently waiting for her to take his arm and set off on the grandest adventure of all.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, North Carolina (htgo.org).