Olga Baltas, our Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and friend, fell asleep with our Lord on Monday, May 15 after a short illness. She was the daughter of James C. and Alexandra (Natsis) Nichols.
She is survived by her daughter Susan Palamaris and husband, Marco of Taunton; her daughter, Alexandra Odorski and husband, Thomas of Worcester; her son Christo, and wife Carolyn of Worcester, and her brother, Charles Nichols and his wife, Adrianne of Sterling. She leaves 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren all from whom she drew her energy and strength.
Olga enters eternal life to join her beloved husband John, her daughters Elaine Baltas and Maria Sahas and her sister Irene Gatsos.
Olga was born in Vavouri, a village in the Epirus Region of Greece. After surviving the hardship of a war there, Olga, her mother and sister left to join her Father in America. Her working career started at age 14 at Charlie’s Fruit and Vegetables on Main Street, and she last worked for GE Telechron as a clock assembler with her sister Irene.
She married her husband John in Athens Greece, but they built their life and home in Worcester. Olga and John worked hard to buy their own home and together fulfilled their dream of owning their own business when they opened a snack bar in Stop and Shop in Webster Square followed by many more businesses. With the help of their 5 children, they ran them all tirelessly and successfully. In between business adventures, John and Olga would enjoy traveling with their family to Greece and Canada.
If you are reading this obituary, Olga has surely served you a sub in Paxton or a pizza in Shrewsbury and told you to “sit and relax and look at the moon,” or maybe you’ve shared a coffee with her. You also may have known her as Yiayia, and she bought you an ice cream, some candy or a bag of chips. Olga had a way of making everyone feel special, and needed, and important. The world needs more Olga's. Sit and relax and look at the moon Yiayia….you deserve it.
Her funeral service will be held at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street on Thursday, May 18th at 11am. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service in the Cathedral on Thursday. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contribution to. St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral. O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family with arrangements.