Ylekeria (Gatzoyiannis) Economou, 79, fell asleep to be with the Lord on Monday October 8, 2012 after a seven year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Holy Trinity Hospice Care. Known as Lillian by friends and family, she was born in Lia, Epirus, Greece on January 18, 1933. When she was only 15 years old, she fled from communism and came to Worcester to be with her siblings. In 1956 Lillian married Paul (Prokopi) Economou. Along with her husband, she opened Westboro House of Pizza in a three-decker on East Main Street. With a gregarious personality, she made her family, friends, and customers feel warm, loved, and always welcomed. Even her customers called her mom. Lillian worked at Westboro House of Pizza until her husband’s death in 1993. She leaves her two dedicated sons Fred and Spyro Economou; daughter-in-law Eleni, wife of Fred, and her two beautiful and loving grandchildren, Paul and Lilly, all of Worcester; three sisters: Olga Bartzokis of Needham, Alexandra (Kanta) Stratis and her husband Evangelos of Worcester, and Fotini (Tina) Haithis of Ayer; one brother, Nicholas (Gage) Gatzoyiannis and his wife Joan of North Grafton, and many nieces, nephews and cousins both here and in Greece. Lillian loved to spend time cooking for her family, especially for her grandchildren. They were the center of her life.
Our beloved mother and grandmother was a humble, hardworking, and strong woman that never gave up in life. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. In addition, the family would like to thank her oncologist Dr.Tony Samaha and the staff at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, along with Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence. They provided wonderful care during the last few days of her life.
Calling hours at O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester, are from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 10. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester, where the funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery.