Penelope Rempas

Penelope "Popi" Rempas, age 96, fell asleep in the Lord on December 27, 2025. Daughter of the late Fr. George and Presbytera Aggeliki Tsenes. Devoted sister of Vasiliki (Athanasios) Chios, the late Eleni (the late John) Karavoussianis, Peter (Arhodoula) Tsenes, Bill (Efthymia) Tsenes, Konstantinos (the late Amalia) Tsenes and Matina (the late Elias) Mandalas. Beloved wife of the late Theodoros Rempas. Amazing mother of Diane (the late Athanasios) Yfantis, Angela (Chris) Sotos and Ron (Janet) Rempas. Cherished Yiayia of Stavros (Carolyn), Theo (Megan), Zach, George, Elena, Penelope, Olivia, Sofia and Teddy. Great-grandmother of Troy and Niko. Thea Popi to Angela, George and countless others. Known to many fondly as "Loper."

Penelope "Popi" Tsenes Rempas was born in Dyrahi Arkadia, Greece, to Father George and Presbytera Angeliki Tsenes. She was the second of 7 kids. She immigrated to Montreal Canada before coming to Chicago to marry her beloved Theodore. She was so many things to so many people. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, thea; but her most cherished title was Yiayia. She was an incredible, selfless example of how to live life and treat others. With the boundless energy of a perpetual 18-year-old, she filled her kitchen with amazing cooking and endless loaves of bread. Popi imparted her wisdom to us daily, making sure to sprinkle in a dose of humor and a very funny saying. Whether it was pulling together an impromptu feast around her dining table, challenging the soldiers who stole her goods, or sewing last-minute dresses and Halloween costumes, she had tremendous strength and never backed down from anyone or anything. Through her determination, she taught herself to read and write English. She left her classes in Greece to sell sticks to help support her family. She always pulled up her bootstraps and got to work. She was tireless. She made it seem effortless.

Popi told us all she loved us and, most importantly, she showed us. She made sure to lift up everyone around her. Through inspirational voicemail messages, pep talks of encouragement, and bus rides to find you with some McDonalds fries or apple pies, wherever you were, her generous spirit made sure to let you know how much you were loved. Her smile, laughter, and love lit up our lives. Popi's memory will certainly be eternal. She left an amazing legacy and giant shoes to fill. Kalo Paradiso.

Visitation Friday, January 2, 2026 from 10:00AM until the time of the funeral service at 12:00PM at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove. Arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, 847-375-0095.