Marie Petris March 28, 1927 – October 05, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Our Dearest Marie, Your generous love has enriched the lives of all who knew you. You are the elegant, beautiful rose of our family. The daughter of Greek immigrants, Dimitrios and Eleni Vlahos, Marie grew up in Tracy and Oakland.
She was showered with a bevy of honors at her Tracy High School graduation—-class valedictorian and winner of the highest achievement awards. At a young age, Marie personified brains and beauty. She attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a degree in Business Administration.
When Marie was hired at Owens Illinois Glass Division in San Francisco in the personnel department, her personality and efficiency led her to attain the position of Personnel Manager of the West Coast Office Headquarters. She became the first woman manager in the West Coast Division at the historic time of the affirmative action movement. Pursued by many ardent admirers, her destiny played out her hand and she married the wonderful man who was meant for her—her beloved Gus Petris, a highly regarded industrial engineer.
They shared a beautiful life together for 55 years. Marie was enormously proud of her Greek heritage and was a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland. She worked with the leader of the church’s Historical Society to save the first Greek Orthodox Church in the East Bay, the Brush Street Orthodox Church which presently stands as a national and state historical landmark in Oakland.
For many years, Marie was the chairperson of the Friday Business Luncheon given at the popular Oakland Greek Festival, and she worked hard with a committee to build a senior center on the church grounds on Lincoln Avenue in Oakland. On many occasions, Marie and Gus could be seen donning aprons and serving delicious Greek sweets at the Festival Kafenio. And on many other occasions, they could be seen dancing the night away.
Marie and Gus spent most of their married and retirement years at their beautiful home in the Oakland hills. They loved to watch the wildlife drink from their fountain overlooking the sparkling San Francisco bay. Marie is predeceased by her parents, Dimitrios and Eleni Vlahos, and her brother, John Vlahos.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Gus Petris; her sister, Betty Christian; her sister-in-law, Martha Vlahos; and her many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren. A Trisagion will take place on Thursday, October 11th at 7:00pm at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue in Oakland. Funeral services will be held there the following day, Friday, October 12th at 11:00am.
Internment services will be private. Friends are invited to make memorial contributions to the Nicholas C. Petris Cultural Endowment fund, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California, 94602.
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