JENNIE F. MALAVIS
1920-2018
On Saturday, the 1st of September 2018, Jennie F. Malavis, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She was 98 years of age.
Jennie was born on the 15th of February 1920, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to George and Ellie (Panos) Fotenopulos. Her baptismal name, Zoe, is the Greek word for “life,” which she fully embraced. Even some of her last words spoken, “Enjoy life” mirrored her name.
The day Jennie transitioned, the 1st of September, is the Orthodox Ecclesiastical New Year. On this day, she began her new life in eternity.
Her interest in playing the piano began when she was three years old, at which time she performed a solo piano recital. Her family moved to Holdenville, Oklahoma and she graduated from Holdenville High School where she was very active in playing basketball, elected varsity cheerleader and Annual Queen. In Holdenville, she taught piano lessons and played the organ at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (in the absence of an Orthodox Church). Her talent drew the attention of Clarence Burg, dean of music at Oklahoma City University who awarded her a piano scholarship to OCU. She was named “Nicest Girl” in the university yearbook among many honors. Her freshman year, she perfected playing Grieg’s A Minor Concerto and performed with the Kansas City Conservatory of Music Orchestra– one of her defining moments. Dean Burg was told by visiting orchestra conductors, that he had one student who was capable of concertizing – his freshman, Jennie Fotenopulos. Jennie, however, chose the path of wife and mother over a music career, of which she never regretted.
She married the love of her life, George Nicholas Malavis in 1950 and moved to Houston where she and George, a restaurateur, gave birth to a son, Nicholas George and a daughter, Ellie Joyce.
She participated in her children’s school activities and inspired them to excel in their passions. She and her husband, George were faithful members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where she taught vacation Bible school, which she really loved.
After her children were grown, she began working for General Electric Credit Corporation, where she was recognized twice as Employee of the Year. Upon entering the workplace after many years, she became self taught and proficient in computer skills. She loved her work, and especially working for Rich Boruta, head of the GE Houston office. For 19 years after she retired, her cherished friend, Rich and his wife, Annmarie, stayed in touch with her to the present date.
She made it a point to keep up with everyone she knew, and there were many, as she never met a stranger. She kept notebooks on all of her friends and spent most of her day making phone calls to stay in touch with them. It was most important to her to acknowledge every gesture of thoughtfulness with a note of appreciation.
Jennie will be remembered for her compassion, positive attitude, devotion to God and family, passion for life and her love and support of animals. She upheld and exuded the highest moral character and ethical conduct. She saw the good in everyone and she inspired and appreciated everyone she knew. Her bright smile and twinkling eyes abided in a humble and unassuming countenance – she had a presence without speaking a word. It was important to her to always be nice to everyone. Jennie lived her life for eternity and to please God. She prayed without ceasing and always acknowledged her answered prayers. They are still being answered. Everyone who knew Jennie will always love her.
Jennie was predeceased by her parents, Ellie and George Fotenopulos; her husband of 46 years, George Malavis; and her brother, Frank Fotenopulos. She is survived by her son, Nicholas George Malavis, of Houston; her daughter, Ellie Joyce Malavis (fiancé, Randol Rodgers), of Houston; her beloved sister, Lillie Drossos of Dallas; niece, Debbie Drossos, of Dallas; nephew/ Godson, John Drossos (wife, Christine); grand-nieces, Alexandra Drossos and Madeline Drossos; grandnephew Angelo Drossos, all of Dallas; her beloved cousin, Ellie Panos Callis, of Dallas; and many friends and family, too numerous to list but not forgotten.
The family extends gratitude to Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. James Muntz, Dr. Robert E. Jackson and A-Med Hospice for their care of Jennie, along with caregivers Martha Poa, Margie Sproule, Silvia Gonzales, Elizabeth Hunt, Marilou Cruz, Sopheak Chan, Annie Benton and Karen Vogel for their devotion and loving care.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 9th of September, in the a Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Trisagion Prayers are to commence at half-past six o’clock.
The funeral service is to be conducted at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 10th of September, at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Eldridge Parkway in Houston.
Interment is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers during the services are Norman Ros Putman, Dan Edmundson, Benton White, David Ray, Ben Frasier and Stephen Bonnette. Serving as honorary pallbearer is Phil Martin.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a makaria luncheon to be held in the George Kostas fellowship hall at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Jennie Malavis’ name may be directed to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, TX, 77006.