Obituary of Dionisia Gavrilis

Dionisia (Nina) Vonorta Gavrilis, age 88, of Charlotte, NC quietly fell asleep in the Lord among loving family in Sorrento, Fl on May 1, 2022. Nina was born in Megalo Horio, Evrytania, Greece on July 14, 1933 to Maria and Michaelis Vonorta. She grew up in Piraeus, Greece until she married and immigrated to the United States in 1957 with her husband George Gus Gavrilis. They had a loving and wonderful marriage for 66 years.

Nina was first and foremost a most dedicated and loving mother, wife, and matriarch of the family. Along with her husband George, she founded and owned Cosmos Steak House, where she took great pride and joy in creating diverse menus and meeting interesting people, many of whom became life-long friends. Her deep faith in Christ and the church was Nina’s beacon in life. Nina was a very active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC where she helped establish and serve in many of its organizations: She was one of the key figures in helping to establish one of Charlotte's most popular cultural events, the Yiasou Greek Festival. She also envisioned and founded the church's Orthodox Bookstore and Welcoming Committee, along with being an active member and past president of the Philoptochos Society. She and her husband were founding members of the Panagia Prousiotisa church in Gavros (Evrytania) and also helped to support several other churches in Greece. In private, Nina would visit area nursing homes as a volunteer and was always ready to reach out and help others in need, regardless of race, religion or creed. Later in life, Nina continued to use her creative talents to express her love for all the people in her life; she wrote and shared evocative poems, baked her famous baklava and other delicious desserts and crocheted beautiful blankets for all family and many friends.

Nina is survived by husband George Gavrilis; daughters Laina, Maria, and Eva; sons-in-law Dave Bridenbaugh and Constantine Vaporis; grandchildren Perry, Nina, Michaela, Nicholas, and Aleydis, along with their spouses Erin, Will, Nathan, Christie, and Jenna; and eight great grandchildren Ava, Lunete, Zeke, Lysandros, Demosthenes, Addison, Theodore, and Briseis.

Funeral services will be performed at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on May 12, 2022 with the Visitation at 10am and the Funeral at 11am.

Memorial donations may be made in Nina’s memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Ministry Programs.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the Tribute Wall provided.