Anastasia “Soula” Papaioanou passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 5, 2026. She was 94 years old.
Born Anastasia Bebi on December 24, 1931, in Lehovo, Florina, Greece, she was the daughter of Pantelis Bebi. Shortly after her birth, her father returned to the United States to work and send money home during the Depression. Seven years later, he briefly reunited with the family in Greece before leaving again for America. During World War II, communication was lost for periods of time. When Soula was 16, her father returned once more, and in 1948 the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia.
Soula attended the McCall School to learn English and graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1949. She began working as a bookkeeper at First Penn Bank. She loved to dance and cherished time with her family.
In 1952, she was introduced to Theofanis Papaioanou by her father and his uncle. They married three days later and built a life together that spanned 60 years.
Soula was devoted to her family. Alongside her husband, she helped operate the Court Luncheonette in Upper Darby for 11 years while raising their three children, Alexandra, Joanne, and George. In retirement, she remained active in family life, helping care for her grandchildren and dividing her time between Drexel Hill and Loutraki, Greece.
She is survived by her children Alexandra (Fotios), Joanne (Philip), and George (Katerina); her grandchildren John; Maria (Michael); Anastasia (Paul); Anastasia and George; Anastasia, Konstantina, and Theofania; and her great-grandchildren Angeliki, Alexandra, and Dimitri. She is also survived by her brother Constantine “Gus” Bebi, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the United States, Germany, and Greece.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Fernwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
