Sophia K Peratis

She was born in Aliquippa, PA to George and Stella Keriotis on December 29, 1929. Her loving parents emigrated from the island of Chios, in Greece which is a small island in the Aegean Sea known for its olive groves, mastic gum and bustling harbors. Being the ninth of ten children Sophia learned early in life to share and be caring - attributes that existed until her last days. She had strong religious values, ethics and did many charitable works through her life.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1947 with her family and was a faithful attendee of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church when it was located on San Julian Street, before its current location on Normandie Avenue. At the urging of her sister, Stamatia, she joined the choir. It was there that she met the love of her life, Spyro. Spyro’s kindness, happy disposition, generosity, and loving ways with a beautiful tenor voice led to a brief courtship and marriage in April 1952. The marriage brought them four wonderful children - Ted, Joanne, Mala and Irene (Rena). In time, Spyro purchased his father’s liquor business, Happy Corner Liquor in Culver City. Eventually a move was necessary because of their growing family to Torrance in 1971. There the family joined St Katherine Greek Orthodox Church and Sophia became very active in the community.

Life of the family changed drastically when Spyro was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and passed in 1975. It was a great loss for the entire family. Sophia immediately shifted from a stay-at-home mom to a life dealing with wine and spirts and supervising a construction of a new building with the help of her loving brother Dimitri. The dedication by her son Ted at age 19, in teaching her about the liquor store business, because he had worked alongside his father for years, and he helped her run the business until it was sold in 2019. Her eldest daughter, Joanne devoted herself to helping raise the two younger daughters, which was immensely helpful for Sophia’s survival.

After many years of healing time, Sophia became more active in St Katherine’s. She became the first female to be elected to St Katherines Parish Council President, was treasurer of the Anthos Chapter of the daughters of Penelope and served in the church office as a volunteer, not to mention her role in the Annual Greek Festival and commitment to Philoptochos.

She cherished time spent with family & friends above all else and her ability to connect with people whether family member, lifelong friends or passing acquaintances was remarkable. A woman of many passions and boundless energy, she had a deep love for reading mostly books about history, auto biographies, nonfiction and the morning newspaper. She also kept working until the age of 92. She continued working on the books for her business and her household never wanting to relinquish her duties.

Sophia is survived by her four children, and their spouse Andy Weber and Gilli Peratis along with step-grandson James Jensen.

May she rest in peace, may her memory bring comfort to those who knew and continue to inspire kindness in all who carry it forward. May memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to: Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Knob Hill Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Thank you.