Penny Charnas-Kotas, 63, of Pataskala, passed away at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. She was born in Athens, Greece on December 10, 1962, the daughter of the late William and Kathy (Ioannou) Charnas.

A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Penny received her B.S. in Education from Youngstown State University and her Masters in Education from Capital University. She recently retired from Lancaster City Schools where she worked in Special Education and Intervention for many years.

Penny took great joy in visiting her native home of Greece and as an avid swimmer, she relished in the opportunity to take advantage of its beautiful seas. Her family had her whole heart, and time spent cooking for them, especially her mac-n-cheese, was just one small way she would show her enduring love and gratitude for those closest in her life. In the quiet times, Penny enjoyed writing and solving the many mysteries told while watching Columbo or Law & Order.

She will be dearly missed by her high school sweetheart and husband of 41 years, Leo Kotas; children, Andrew Kotas, Kate Kotas (Colin), Thomas Kotas (Andi), and Kayla Kotas (Jacob); granddaughter, Madison Kotas; siblings, Cali (Richard) Smith, Olga (John) Stavridis, and Terry (Koula) Charnas; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Erika) Kotas and Liani Kotas; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High Street, Columbus, 11 A.M., Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with Fr. Savvas Mandeville as celebrant. Visitation will be held at the Cathedral for one-hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at 1:30 P.M. in Etna Cemetery.

In addition to her parents, Penny was preceded in death by her grandson, Carson Leo Kotas; and brother-in-law, Gary Kotas.

To share your memory of Penny or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.