Taffy Valassis

Taffy Valassis, 97, of Elyria, died Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Abbewood, Elyria.  She was born March 1, 1927 in Athens, Greece.  She was a 1945 graduate of Elyria High School, attended Dennison College and graduated from Bowling Green University with a B.A. in Spanish.  After college she worked for her father at the Blue Bird Restaurant in Elyria, followed by several years of employment at various Elyria banks.  In 1958, she relocated to Denver, Colorado, and was employed by Frontier Airlines, and for a brief period, in the Frontier office in Durango, Colorado. Taffy was adventurous and a world traveler, who relished her trips with friends, and then with her beloved companion of almost forty years, Frank Sims. As members of an antique car club they traveled all over the western United States with friends.  She was a gardener, very social and loved to talk and visit with family and friends.  Taffy made wonderful Greek cookies at Christmas that were eagerly awaited by her friends and co-workers and to her family she was always supportive and generous.  She was also a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Elyria.

Taffy is survived by nieces, Betsy (John Carl) Dannibale of Clifton Park, NY and Ellen (David) Wallack of Baltimore, MD; great nephew John Christopher Dannibale (Kelley) Jersey City, NJ; great niece, Sarah Wallack, Brooklyn, NY; great-great niece Emma Robbin Dannibale, Jersey City, NJ and many friends in Colorado, Texas and Ohio  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Spero and Helen Valasiss; brothers, Ted and Tom Valassis; sister, Lula Polezoes and beloved companion for almost 40 years, Frank Sims.
The family would like to thank the staff at Abbewood and Crossroads Hospice for their kind and thoughtful care of Taffy at the end of her life.

A graveside service will be Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at Brookdale Cemetery.  Reverend June Hardy Dorsey, Rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 300 Third Street, Elyria, Ohio or Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Road Ste 270, Valley View, Ohio 44125.

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