STELLA ATHANASIOU Of Pittsburgh’s North Side, fell asleep with the Lord on Wednesday evening, March 7, 2018, at the age of 93. Stella was born March 17, 1924, in Pittsburgh to Greek immigrants, Panagioti and Fofo Frankos. She was preceded in death by siblings, James Frankos, Kelly and Steve Karavalos, Aleck Frankos, Georgia and Sam Castellano, Angeliki “Dolly” Frankos, and Deno Fiffas.
Stella leaves behind devoted children, Angela Athanasiou Grieser, and Harry and Joyce Athanasiou. Yiayia Stella will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, George Athanasiou, Rev. Fr.
Anastasios and Presbytera Lena Athanasiou; and her great-granddaughter, Zoe Athanasiou. She is also survived by her loving sisters-in-law, Tessie Frankos and Carol Fiffas; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, Godchildren, Koumbari and dear friends. Generations of Pittsburgh Greek-Americans will always remember Stella for her devotion and embodiment of the Hellenic Culture.
As a person who loved “anything Greek”, Stella devoted her time and efforts to progressing the Greek culture in the youth of the community through dance. For over 30 years, she taught Greek dance lessons to people of all ages at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (North Side), St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Oakland), Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church (Mt. Lebanon), Community College of Allegheny County and privately.
Stella was one of the founding committee members of the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, which continues to this day. As a former dancer most recently stated, “while I may have known how to move my feet, I never knew what it meant to dance until she taught me”. Stella’s family reached beyond flesh and flood.
Generations of young Greek dancers will always remember “Yiayia” Stella. She was everyone’s grandmother, and her grandsons were honored to share. Stella was a devout Orthodox Christian who was baptized, married, raised her children and dedicated her life to her beloved Holy Trinity parish.
Furthermore, she volunteered as a member of the Ladies’ Philoptochos Society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and served as its President on the Metropolis and local parish levels. She was blessed to serve in this capacity under the leadership of His Grace Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos, His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympus, and His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh, whom she loved dearly. Her service to Holy Trinity was recently recognized as she was awarded the 2017 Metropolis of Pittsburgh St. Photios Award by the hands of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh.
Few people lived the way Stella did. She loved and lived life to its fullest. She was a role model, an inspiration, and a teacher of life’s greatest lessons for which her memory will be eternal.
Family and friends will be received from 1-8 p.m. Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 985 Providence Blvd. , Pittsburgh, PA 15237, with Trisagion service at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Service on Monday at 11 a.m. preceded by visitation at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Holy Trinity Capital Campaign.
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