Olympia Kollias

Kollias, Olympia Constance. October 27, 1930 – September 8, 2021. Olympia (Bea) was born in Rockford, Illinois to Gust and Ann Kollias of Kalamata, Greece. She was a lifelong member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Rockford, Illinois, where was an active member of the Philoptochos Society and taught Sunday School for many years. She graduated from Belvidere High School, Beloit College, and Vanderbilt University, where she earned her master’s degree in Education.  She was a dedicated English teacher in the Rockford area for 35 years.  Following retirement from teaching, Bea volunteered at the Breast Health Center at Swedish American Hospital and enjoyed travelling at her leisure.      

Bea was greatly influenced by her family, education, Orthodox faith, and Greek heritage. Also of inspiration was her niece Anne Elise, who is her Goddaughter in-fact and deed and brought her great joy and love. She wanted her family to know how very much their love, affection, and care was a dominant factor that brought her great joy in life. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, George Kollias; sister Patricia Pollnow. Survived by her nieces Anne Elise Pollnow-Martin (Brett), Alexa Musto (Erik), Emily Pollnow (Martin O'Toole), Connie Kollias, Julie Mastriani (Mark), Stephanie Power (Chris), Allison Bain (Jason); brother-in-law, G. Wesley Pollnow; sister-in-law, Kris Kollias; and great-nieces and great-nephews: Ashley Bain, James Power, Phoebe and Georgia O’Toole, and Oliver and Elise Musto.

The viewing will take place at Sundberg Funeral Home, Rockford, IL, on Monday, September 13th, from 4:00–6:00pm, with a Trisagion service at 5:30pm.  The funeral will take place at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Rockford, IL, on Tuesday, September 14th at 11:30am, followed by a light fare; internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, IL at 2:00pm.

The family would like to express a most sincere debt of gratitude to the staff at Serenity Hospice & Home, all of whom excel in compassion and care.  In lieu of flowers, Bea and the family wish for donations to be made to Serenity Hospice & Home, 1658 IL-2, Oregon, IL 61061 and Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N 5th St. Rockford, IL  61107.

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