Thalia Papas Vassiliades

Thalia Papas Vassiliades fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, the 14th of March 2011, in Houston, Texas, after patiently enduring numerous health problems over the course of the past several months. She was 95.

Born on the 16th of July 1915, Thalia was a proud and loyal native Houstonian. Educated at the old Sam Houston High School, she worked extensively in Houston’s restaurant industry throughout much of her vocational life, but is likely best remembered for her many years of employment in the Tax Department of the City of Houston, from which she retired several years ago after a lengthy and distinguished career.

Undoubtedly, her passionate and inspiring commitment to Christian stewardship, her devotion and heartwarming generosity toward her family and friends, and her lifelong dedication to volunteering and community service are the hallmarks of her life on this side of eternity. Although she was an ardent and active member of a multitude of charitable and civic organizations and causes throughout her life, her most beloved one was the Daughters of Penelope, which she served with distinction for many decades. Thalia was, at the time of her passing, the last living charter and founding member of “Achaia” Chapter No. 54 of the “Daughters” in Houston, having held, often on multiple occasions, elective offices on the chapter and district levels as well as having served on a host of committees on those levels as well as on the national level. Her great love for the Daughters of Penelope and her many decades of distinguished service culminated in her having been named National Penelope of the Year in 2000.

The daughter of one of the founding benefactors of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, Thalia remained steadfastly committed to both the Orthodox Christian faith and the parish into which she was baptized and which she loved so deeply throughout the course of her entire life. Quite simply, the Church was the cornerstone of her life, and she dedicated herself to serving in many capacities until the decline in her health limited her mobility. She served on the Parish Council and on a wide range of committees, and she volunteered in numerous capacities for Houston’s Original Greek Festival for many decades. Longtime members of the Annunciation Cathedral will likely remember her many years of faithful service as an usher and as a mentor to many of the cathedral’s ushers.

She is predeceased by her parents, John and Georgia Papas (Papazoglakis), her sisters, Paraskevi and Evangelia, and their husbands George and Nicholas respectively, her brother Louis, and her daughter Chrysanthe.

Because she had such a profound and enduring impact on the lives of so very many grateful family members and friends, all, of whom, she loved dearly and considered members of her family, whether related by blood or in spirit, may it suffice to say that she is survived by an extensive family of loved ones all, of whom, are left with cherished memories of a life well lived and an enduring legacy of service, devotion, love, and Christian stewardship to emulate.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 20th of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Trisagion prayers are to commence at half past six o’clock, led by the clergy of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

A funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 21st of March, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston.

Honored to serve as casket bearers are George Christie, Gregory Cokinos, Louis Constandine, Foti Demeris, Greg Gregory, and Charles Papas. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Nick Arapolis, Nick Economopoulos, Anthony Kouzounis, Spiro Pappas, Bruce Rollins, and Gus Zgourides.

The entombment is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at The Memorial Mission Mausoleum at Forest Park Westheimer in Houston.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a Makaria Luncheon in the Martell Hall at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Thalia’s name be directed to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Altar Fund, 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, TX, 77006; or to the charity of one’s choice.