Elaine Helen Jannetides

Elaine Helen Jannetides, 87 of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away peacefully on April 29, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

 On September 28, 1936, James and Eugenia Velonis gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and named her Elaine Helen. She was raised in a Greek/American home learning both English and Greek. 

Losing her mother, Eugenia, during her teenage years, Elaine had to grow up quickly. She was big sister to her brother, Chris, and admirer of the brilliance of her older brother, Nick.

 After graduating from Shortridge High School in 1955, she went to a school of cosmetology and worked in a beauty salon owned and operated by her cousin Tula’s husband, Andre Vavul earning money for college to become a nurse. Her destiny would change; however, when she met a handsome young man named Nick Jannetides at a young adult gathering at their church. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Before shipping out to fight the war in Korea, he made a promise to himself to return. He told her he wanted to marry her when he came back to which she agreed. He kept his promise, and they were married on August 26, 1956. For the next sixty-seven years, they were the love of each other’s lives.

 Together they started many businesses, but the one they put the most into was their two Baskin-Robbins stores. The first opened on 56^th and Illinois Street in 1971, and the second on Allisonville Road a few years later. They would go on to also operate a B&R trailer that they would take to fairs and other events.

 Elaine was a Sunday school teacher at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral from the 1970s to 1990s where she touched the lives of many young people sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her love for God shined through everything she did.

In 1995, Nick and Elaine retired from the ice cream business to join their youngest son, James, at University Loft Company. Elaine was not the type to sit around, so she worked tirelessly in the accounting department there. 

 Elaine and Nick became snowbirds traveling to Saint Petersburg, Florida where she pursued another passion – writing. She became an accomplished author with the publication of the hardcover book, A Golden Bond.  

 Some of Elaine’s favorite things to do were take long walks on the beach and sipping coffee while watching the sunrise. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, making clothes for her family. The consummate hostess, she would often cook delicious meals and entertain friends and family at her home, hosting many an Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations.

 Elaine was predeceased by her parents, James and Eugenia Velonis, her brothers Nicholas Velonis and George Velonis, and her son, Jordan (Don) Jannetides. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Nick, her children Eugenia (Ginger) Bock and husband Del, Adriane Doherty and husband Tom, James Jannetides and wife Deana, and seven beautiful and adoring grandchildren, Marissa Alice Doherty, Thomas Neco Doherty, James Nickalas Jannetides and wife Nikki, MaKenna Elaine Doherty, Alexander Michael Jannetides and wife Megan, Gabriella Jannetides, Addyson Grace Jannetides, and Elaine’s brother Chris Velonis and wife Barbara.