Doukeni Vassil

Doukeni Baroutsis Vassil of Lancaster, PA, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the age of 85. She will be fondly remembered for her genuinely kind and gentle soul, as well as being a dedicated mother and Yiayia (grandmother) to her beloved family.

Doukeni was born on January 31, 1939 to Polydoros Baroutsis and Antigoni Panagiotopoulis Baroutsis in Bellefonte, PA and grew up in the college town of State College, PA. She went on to study English with a concentration in English Secondary Education at Penn State University and notably graduated on her 21st birthday in 1960. Doukeni greatly enjoyed her time at Penn State, being a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and remained a lifelong PSU football fan. The summer after graduation, she met her husband, Peter L Vassil of Lancaster, PA, and married him on November 13, 1960. The two went on to share 41 years of marriage, raising four children together, until his passing in August 2002.

She started her career teaching in the Elizabethtown School District prior to having her first child. After taking time to raise her children, Doukeni re-entered the world of education once her youngest child began full day school. She worked as a teacher of English as a Second Language through IU 13, primarily to Vietnamese immigrants, before taking a position in the library at Franklin and Marshall College, where she worked many years. In her later years, Doukeni worked at the Visitors Bureau of Lancaster until her retirement in 2007.

Doukeni’s interests included reading, going on daily walks, and being involved in the Greek Church. Her most precious pastime was spending time with her family. She enjoyed hosting holiday get-togethers, going on family beach trips to Wildwood and Cape May, NJ, and having reunions with her siblings at Penn State. After his retirement, she and Peter also enjoyed several vacations to Europe, including their parents’ homeland, Greece. Those that knew her would say she was the kindest, sweetest person who treated others with compassion and respect.

Doukeni is survived by her four devoted children – sons Louis P Vassil (Lori McDevitt), of West Chester, PA, Dr. Paul E Vassil (Maria) of Lancaster, PA, George P Vassil (Lori), of West Chester, PA, and daughter Anthi L Glass (Jeff), of Lititz, PA. She is also survived by her nine cherished grandchildren – Erika Glass, Taylor (Michael) Lux, Kyriaki (Dr. James) Schooley, Austin Glass, Katerina Vassil, Shaun Vassil, Peter L Vassil, Markella Vassil, and Peter P Vassil. In addition, she is survived by her sister Irene Highland of Grove City, PA. She was predeceased by her husband Peter and her brother, Paul Baroutsis. Doukeni will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who survive her.

The family would like to thank Dr. William Loretan of WellSpan Health and particularly the dedicated staff of Ephrata Manor who provided so much care, affection, and comfort to “Dee” and our family.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 10:30am at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 64 Hershey Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603 with The Rev. Hector Firoglanis officiating. Viewings will be held on Thursday evening from 6-8pm with a Trisagion Service at 7pm and again Friday from 9:30am-10:30am prior to the service, all at the Greek Church. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Church as above or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 255 North Michigan Avenue Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, http://www.alz.org, or to any charity of your choosing.