Joan (Menidis) Salamanis

Mrs. Joan (Menidis) Salamanis, of Waltham, died Wednesday, November 3, 2021 in Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at New Bridge on the Charles. She was 87.

Joan was born on January April 24, 1934 in Kastorion Sparta, Greece a daughter of the late Plato and Nikolata (Balioti) Menidis. Raised and educated in Greece she immigrated to the United States in 1951 settling in Woburn. She married William Salamanis on April 23, 1961 in Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Woburn.

Joan worked in the cafeteria at Brandeis University for over fifteen years before retiring in 2001.

She was the much loved 'Yia Yia' to her two grandchildren. Joan was a talented cook who loved to teach and share her recipes with her grandchildren. She enjoyed taking care of her plants and garden but most of all in recent years enjoyed sitting on her screened in porch with her granddog Tabou.

In addition to her husband of 60 years, William, she leaves her daughters, Cynthia Salamanis of Waltham and Diane George (David) of Marlborough; her grandchildren, Alexis and Makayla George; her siblings, Virginia Politis (late George) of Waltham, Dina Kastixte (late Peter) of Ionnin, Greece, Flora Papanicolaou (late Orestis) of Salonika, Greece, Julia Kresser (Chuck) of Kingston, New York, Niko Menidis (late Maro) of Cyprus, Greece and the late George Menidis; her sister-in-law, Claire Lyons (late Richard) of Watertown; nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, November 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday in Taxiarchae Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown at 10 a.m. Rev. Fr. Athanasios Nenes will officiate. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Taxiarchae Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472 or www.goarchangels.org