Olga Poulos Keretses

Olga Poulos Keretses, 91 of Florence, SC died March 23, 2024, after a brief illness. Born March 12, 1933, in Klafsion, Evrytania Greece, she was the daughter of the late John George Poulos and Anastasia (Fragakis) Poulos. Olga, along with her mother and siblings, enjoyed a wonderful, peaceful life in their village in the mountains of south-central Greece until World War II broke out. At the time her father was in the United States like many Europeans working to send money home to their families. Unfortunately, at the start of the war travel was forbidden so the family remained separated until 1948. From about 1943 to 1945 Olga and her family experienced many harrowing incidents during WWII, with the occupying forces including being burned out of their home and getting caught in the crossfire of a battle. Immediately following the war, a civil war in Greece broke out between the democratic and communist forces. Olga would tell many stories about “run ins” with the communist and explained how much worse the civil war was compared to WWII. To survive, Olga’s mother Anastasia moved the family to Athens, Greece where Olga enjoyed several wonderful years of childhood amongst friends and attending school. In 1948 Olga along with her brother George and mother left Greece and arrived in New York City where her father was awaiting to take them to their new home in Wytheville, Virginia. Olga remembers many happy years in Wytheville surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. Years later the family moved to Thomasville, Georgia where her dad owned and operated a restaurant. At a wedding celebration Olga met and was courted by the love of her life, Steve Keretses. They were married on February 14, 1954, and after celebrating their honeymoon in Miami, Florida they settled in Florence, SC where she supported Steve in his business ventures including the “Eatmore Lunch” restaurant. These were good times for Olga and Steve. They started a family, were founding members of the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, SC where they remained very active. Olga was also part of the Ladies Philoptochos Society; a nonprofit organization created for charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic outreach. Olga also enjoyed staying physically fit, dancing, maintaining plants and flowers, reading, and traveling with her family. Olga was passionate about cooking and serving great meals to her family and friends. She was an excellent baker and was well known for her recipes, especially homemade breads. It gave her great joy to see her family especially grandchildren all sitting around the table enjoying great meals and conversation. Olga also had a quick wit. There were countless situations where her “one liners” where followed by much laughter. Even during her final days, as a care giver rubbed her forehead it took Olga by surprise and when she realized what had happened, she exclaimed “I thought I had a third hand”. Olga’s family was her greatest love. She lost her husband Steve on June 5, 2020, after 66 years of marriage. She is preceded in death by her father John George Poulos, her mother Anastasia (Fragakis) Poulos, son-in-law Ray Putnam, her brother George Poulos, sister Rita (Poulos) Sitaras and brother-in-low Bill Sitaras, brother-in-law George Keretses, sister-in-law Marie (Kanos) Keretses, brother-in-law Gus Hondros and sister-in-law Rodanthe (Keretses) Hondros. Olga is survived by her daughter Irene (Keretses) Putnam, son Constantine Keretses and his wife Renee (Bakos) Keretses, grandson Stephen Putnam and his wife Angela (Nolan) Putnam, granddaughter Elena (Keretses) Burrus and her husband Samuel Burrus, grandson Steven Keretses, great granddaughter Katherine Putnam, great granddaughter Vaia Burrus and great grandson John Burrus, and many nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to: Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 2990 South Cashua drive, Florence, SC 29501.