Vasiliki "Bess" Yeanopoulos Jex

Vasiliki "Bess" Yeanopoulos Jex, 95, of Middletown, RI, died on Thursday, March 26th, 2015 at the Village House surrounded spiritually by her family.She was the wife of Donald Robert Jex (Captain, USN Ret.) who predeceased her.Born in Holyoke, MA on October 29, 1919 to Theodore James Yeanopoulos and Marika (Soliotis) Yeanopoulos, she was the third of four children.She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Penelope Zarvis of San Jose, CA, and her two brothers, Charles T. Young and James T. Young, both of Newport, RI.Bess was a very special lady both personally and professionally. After graduating from Bay Path Institute in the Class of 1939, she enjoyed a 23 year career with the Army, Air Force and Navy. During her 14 years with the Navy, she was secretary to the head of the Newport Naval Base, Admiral James Buchanon. One of her proudest achievements was to obtain a top secret clearance and presidential pass for Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, both of whom she was privileged to meet during their frequent vacations to Newport. The base was considered the "Summer White House". While working at the naval base, Bess was instrumental in writing and publishing a booklet on Naval Social Customs, to provide assistance to the junior officer's wives and it was later republished by the Navy Wifeline Association in Washington, DC as a national publication. In November 1969, she accompanied her husband to Seoul, Korea, where he was assigned as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Naval Forces Korea. For the first time in its history, the Seoul area American Officer's Wive's Club elected a Navy wife, Bess, as its President. The club was active in community and welfare projects related to servicemen and their families as well as to the Korean children. She and her board raised thousands of dollars for charities, scholarships and medical equipment, both in Korea and the United States. On a personal level, Bess enjoyed all kinds of music and was a terrific dancer. Always impeccably dressed, she particularly loved her hats. She leaves her niece, Marina Vasiliki Young-Kelly, two nephews, Theodore James Young and Chris Charles Young, two great-nieces and goddaughters, Sandra Press and Stephanie Hazan, two great-nieces, Nicole Young and Rachael Millik, a great-nephew, Ryan Hazinakas; and her great-great nephew and great-great-niece, Sam and Zoe Hazan.Calling hours will be held on Monday, March 30, 2015 from 9:30-10:30 AM in St. Spyridon Church, Thames and Brewer Streets, Newport, RI, with the funeral service at 10:30 AM in the church.Burial will follow in Newport Memorial Park, Middletown, RI. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Spyridon Church, PO Box 427, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details Newport Memorial Park Vaucluse Avenue Middletown, RI, Visitation MAR 30. 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US Service MAR 30. 10:30 AM St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US