Penelope Nicole Zouzounis (Née Dracopoulos)

June 16, 1922 - July 31, 2017

Born on June 16, 1922 in San Francisco, CA to Greek immigrant parents Nick and Olga Dracopoulos.

Penelope graduated from Girls High School, and was the first born into a family of six children. Penny’s Father encouraged education and took her to get a library card at the age of 8. She was an avid reader well into her nineties.

Her father owned the “High Life” restaurant in the Fillmore District; but suddenly his investments in the stock market was wiped out by the Great Depression. This took a toll on Nick, and at one of Penny’s little brother’s first year birthday party celebrations, he had a heart attack and died. The family moved into federal housing as they struggled and during that time they bonded together. The oldest son Demitries decided to quit school to provide for the family, and Penelope went to work for the War Department. They moved to the Portola District where Penny resided the rest of her life.

At a Greek Orthodox Easter Picnic in Santa Cruz, Penelope met Theodore Zouzounis, and the magic was born. Shortly thereafter Ted was sent overseas to serve in the U.S. Army, and during their time apart they exchanged several hundred letters to each other. The mail man would walk up the stairs to hand Penny her mail from Ted, and in return he received a letter for Ted with the scent of perfume.

Upon Theodore’s return, Ted and Penny were married and inseparable for fifty years; finding a photo without the two of them together was rare.

Ted and Penny opened Ted’s Market in the Soma District on July 15, 1967 as the summer of love was engulfing San Francisco. They worked side by side for the next thirty years, opening every day until Ted’s passing in 1997. Penelope visited the store often as she loved the employees, customers, and the memories of her time with Ted.

Penelope walked the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening in 1937, and again with her family on its 50th anniversary in 1987. In 2012, Penelope received a certificate of Honor from Mayor Ed Lee for being a cherished member of the community for her service in the War Department, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the establishment of Ted’s Market. Always elegant and well read, Penelope was impeccable in dress and inscrutable in attitude.

Penelope is survived by her children Theodore (Jan) Zouzounis, Karen (Ted) Nasser, David (Lorene) Zouzounis; and her grandchildren Theo and Nicole Nasser and Miriam and Athena Zouzounis. She is also survived by her sisters Mary Rutherford, Georgia Nelson, and her bother Peter Dracopoulos; and cherished Godson Peter Rutherford, and many nieces and nephews in the Bay Area, and Greece.

Penny is united now with her beloved husband Theodore.

The family was blessed to have Tatiana Ignatchuk in our lives for making Penny’s last years full of love, compassion, and joy; and Tessie Mangahas for her care and devotion. Also special thanks to all past and present employees and wonderful customers who always showed respect to Penny, engaging in conversation with her, considering her the Boss, which she was.

Friends and family may visit Friday, August 4, from 6:00 pm. - 7:00 pm. at Holy Trinity Church, 999 Brotherhood Way San Francisco CA 94132, where a Trisagion will be held at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 5 at Holy Trinity Church at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Greek Orthodox Memorial Park in Colma, CA. Followed by “Makaria” reception at the Church.

Donations can be made in Penelope’s name to Holy Trinity Church or a Family in need.