Georgia Maxine Goris “Yia Yia” loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Georgia was born October 9, 1936, in Park City, Utah to George Sr (Georgios Papadoupolous) and Nettie Street Pappas.
She attended Jordan High School and met her future husband, George William Goris Sr. at a Bingham High football game. They were married in the Salt Lake Court House and were eventually sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on April 27, 1970. Georgia had three children; Diane, George Jr., and James, two of her children were known for giving her gray hair and one always helped her to dye it!
Georgia was an extremely hard worker, no one worked harder than her. She worked from sunup to sundown to support her family. She said once that her greatest desire was to have a close and healthy family and she did everything she could to make that happen. She retired from Sears after many years and finally had the opportunity to visit her father’s homeland of Greece. The Pappas sisters spoke fondly of their time in Greece and the chance they had to visit their relatives. In April of 1969 Georgia was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her commitment to the gospel proved to be her greatest strength throughout her life. Days before her passing Yia Yia could be found reading from her Book of Mormon and Jesus the Christ.
She loved to be with family! She and her sisters spent hours making quilts for her married grandchildren, they had so much fun doing that together! Yia Yia was the ultimate cheerleader for her grandkid’s sports and activities. She never forgot a birthday, not even for her great-grandchildren and would generously give $5-$10 depending on their ages.
She is preceded in death by her husband, George Sr., sons; George Jr. and James (Samantha) and grandchildren Nicholas Goris and Stephanie Goris. She is also preceded in death by her parents; George Sr. and Nettie Pappas, her siblings; Betty (Bruce) Logan, Don (Bert) Pappas, Dena (Todd) Allen, Sophie (Francis) Black, Paul (Stannie) Pappas, Steve (Marilyn) Pappas, Helen (Ray) Hunsaker, Athene (Lee) Phillips, George and Dan Pappas. We can only imagine the BIG FAT Greek reunion!!
She is survived by her sisters; Xene (Mike, deceased) Butkovich, Sherry (Bruce, deceased) Hansen, and Linda (Richard) Sabey. These ladies were her card-playing, deal-shopping, Mexican-food eating group. Not a day went by that she didn’t talk to one of them—for hours.
Georgia is also survived by her daughter, Diane (Randy) Peck. Never has the saying “Like Mother like Daughter” rang truer. They were best friends and in touch daily. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law; Samantha (James, deceased) Goris. Georgia’s kindness and Christ-like love will bless our family for generations.
Georgia’s posterity includes 13 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. These grandchildren will always remember her teaching us to play poker with pennies. We get our competitive spirit from Yia Yia as she was known to say, “There are no friends in cards!”.
Funeral services will be held at the Midvale 2nd Ward Chapel, 97 West 7500 South in Midvale on Monday, February 28, 2022, beginning at 11AM. Family and friends may pay their respects at the public viewing to be held at the same location held on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 6-8PM, or Monday prior to the funeral services beginning at 10AM. Interment to follow at the Midvale City Cemetery.
We will miss you Yia Yia, OPA!
To view the previously held funeral services, please click the ""Watch Services" link above.
My deepest condolences for your loss
Aunt Georgia was a great woman and I admired her tremendously. It was a sad day for me to hear of her passing
My deepest condolences