Catherine Hondros Yeapanis, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Mrs. Yeapanis was born in Mikro Horio, Evrytania, Greece, and immigrated to the
United States in 1952. She lived in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, before eventually
settling in Newport News, Virginia. Alongside her husband Mike, whom she married in
1958, she became a well-known and highly respected restaurateur in the Newport News
community. Their Central Restaurant, originally located on Washington Avenue from
1951 to 1986, served countless individuals working in the Newport News Shipyard, as
well as those in the city’s judicial and financial districts. Catherine and Mike later
continued operating the relocated Central Restaurant in Oyster Point until their
retirement in 1994.
A devoted member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport
News, Catherine was honored as Steward of the Year. She was also a past president
and distinguished member of the church’s Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Ladies
Penelope Society, and the Daughters of Penelope. Catherine played an active
leadership role in the Newport News Greek Festival for many years, where she was
especially known for preparing baklava and managing the merchandise booths.
Catherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike C. Yeapanis, and her
brother, George Hondros. She is survived by her daughter, Demetra Yeapanis Kontos,
and her son-in-law, Dr. Christopher D. Kontos; her grandsons, Michael Hermes Kontos
and his wife, Dr. Christina Cesarz, of Denver, Colorado, and Alexander Apostolos
Kontos and his wife, Dr. Caitlin Grant, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and her sisters,
Chrysoula H. Fotopoulos and Koula H. Massostasis of Athens, Greece.
The family will receive friends from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek
Orthodox Church on Sunday, April 26. A Trisagion prayer service will follow at 4:00 p.m.
at the church, 60 Traverse Road, Newport News. The funeral service will be held on
Monday, April 27, at 11:30 a.m., also at the church, with burial to follow at Peninsula
Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen
Greek Orthodox Church, or to a charity of your choice.
]Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd.,
Newport News, Virginia 23601.
8 Comments
Such a wonderful lady!! She was a one of a kind!! Will miss her greatly!!
Thank you Michele. You, Dr. R. and the entire team at OPFP were just fantastic with my parents. Always grateful. Demetra
Sending you our love and gratitude to you and the entire Visiting Angels team. You allowed a fiercely independent woman to live the last years of her life in her home. I know that is what she wished. Forever thankful for you and your team, Demetra
I can not put into words how much ms. Yeapanis meant to me she was such a wonderful person and a great sense of humor. Thank you to her family for allowing me the opportunity to know and take care of her she will be greatly missed
Toby, your special soul touches every individual who crosses your path. We are all so grateful for your kindness, respect and humor on good and bad days. With grateful appreciation, Demetra
My my my sweet lady. I will forever remember you and the joy you bought to me. Just to know you was to love you. Some didn’t understand your personality but it was just you being you. I enjoyed the 3 years I took caring for you. You lived a good life and your work is done here on this earth go continuing being in a much happier place. Demetra you did a fine job in taking care of your mom. I will always love yall. Michele
Dear Demetra,
My condolences and sympathy to you and the family with the passing of your beloved mother.
Such a multi-talented leader and teacher for me and many others. Her wheelhouse was full of skill sets and we witnessed her complete it all with ease. She walked with purpose and shared her wisdom about life – always teaching and preparing us. Nouna captivated us when she told us stories. She was brave, determined, talented, generous and resilient. She was a businesswoman. She was a powerhouse, or what I like to say, “a general without the uniform”. We love your mom, Demetra. May her memory be eternal. Love to you.
Valerie, what a beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for your love and kindness. Our lives are full of memories that our families spent together. My love to you and your daughter. May John and Mom’s memory be eternal. Love, Demetra