Nikoletta Tsami Osborn

Nikoletta (Tsami) Osborn was born on August 18, 1938 in Iklena, Greece to parents Konstantinos Tsami and Kalliopi (Anapliotis) Tsami. She was the youngest of 8 children. Unfortunately, childhood diseases and World War II took its toll on her family. Her father, Konstantinos Tsami, did not survive the war, nor did four other siblings.

After the war, her mother, Kalliopi was left to raise the four surviving children -sisters Kristina, Kula, Riri and Nikoletta. The family faced many hardships caused by war.

As a young child, Nikoletta was sent to live with her uncle John’s family in Kalamata. Uncle John was a journalist and newspaper editor and Nikoletta was very proud of her Uncle. Nikoletta’s time in Kalamata was bittersweet and at times Cinderella-like. She loved her uncle and two cousins dearly but her aunt was difficult and did not welcome her husband’s young niece.

As a young woman, Nikoletta decided to spread her wings. She had a job offer arranged by a family friend to work as a model for Siemens in Germany. Nikoletta moved to Nuremberg, Germany in 1960. For the first time she was on her own. She fell in love with the country and made many friends. In later years, Nikoletta always spoke fondly of her years in Germany and the reasons were obvious.

In Germany, she met the love of her life, Sgt. William Louis Osborn III, an American soldier stationed in the city of Furth. As a married couple, they were always one word - Bill’nLetta. Bill and Letta were married in a civil ceremony on September 20, 1963, and later in dual religious ceremonies on October 6, 1963. Later in life, these anniversaries would become a source of contention and confusion to their children as Bill would celebrate the September 20 anniversary and Letta would celebrate the October 6 date.

Much of Letta’s childhood was marked by war, first WWII followed shortly by the Greek Civil War. As a result, her education was often interrupted. Despite this, as a young woman, Letta could speak several languages, including Greek, German and French. When she came to America, Letta spoke very little English, but she learned English quickly by watching Peyton Place and the news with Jerry Dunphy. Soon she was able to speak, read and write English without any formal classroom instruction.

After Bill was honorably discharged from the military, the couple came to America in 1964. America was in a time of transition and upheaval. Letta was just learning English and didn’t understand the hippie culture or comprehend the intolerance that the civil rights movement was fighting. In short, America was a lonely scary place when Bill was not around. In the upcoming year, things would change dramatically for the better.

In 1964, Bill and Letta settled in Panorama City, CA. Bill was working at General Motors and the couple was saving for his education and a new home. On November 9, 1965, Letta gave birth to her son William (also called Willy, Bill, or Will). While in the maternity ward, Letta met her first of many lifelong friends, Karen Lowry.

Through 1967, Bill and Letta lived in the San Fernando Valley as Bill continued to work at GM. In 1967, the young family moved to a home in Inglewood so Bill could attend school at Northrop Institute. Children in the area were scarce and Letta was young Will’s mother and playmate. While living in Inglewood, Bill and Letta had their second child Monica Ann who was born on January 26, 1970.

After graduating from Northrop Institute in 1969, Bill began to work as an aircraft power plant mechanic at Pacific Airmotive Corporation in Burbank, CA. After many years of saving, the young family was able to achieve the American Dream and purchase their one and only home in Panorama City in the summer of 1970.

After what seemed like a lifetime of movement, Letta was ready to settle into her new house and create a home for her husband and children. Being a wife and mom was Letta’s pride and joy. She greeted her husband everyday with a smile, clean house, well-mannered children, and a delicious home cooked meal.

In Letta’s home, education came first. Both of her children were the first in the family to attend and complete college. When her children attended elementary school, Letta joined the PTA as a means to understand how the American education system worked. While working in the PTA, Letta made many lifelong friends. Also while in the PTA, Letta was introduced to the game of bowling. Letta loved to bowl and bowled in leagues once or twice a week for close to 25 years.

Letta’s joys were simple, straightforward, everyday things. She loved visiting her friends. She loved talking to people and made friends with just about everyone she encountered. She loved gardening and watering her plants. She was an exceptional cook who relied on “a pinch of this and a dash of that.” Any guest who stepped into her home was met with hospitality and some sort of a meal.

Letta liked to go on long drives with Bill and the family. In early times, these road trips would find their way to a park where the family would stroll through gardens or climb a hill. In later years, these road trips would inevitably wind up at an Indian casino where Letta could play the nickel slots for hours.

Letta was an avid sports fan. Her love of sports began as a bus service when she would shuttle Will and Monica to baseball games or cheerleading practice. Her favorite team was the Lakers. She would live and die with every game and knew the strengths and weaknesses of every player.

Her children followed her path to marital bliss. Will married Karen Bloch in 1993 and they have two children, Michael and Jacqueline. Monica married Matthew Young in 1995. They also have two children, Grace and Ryan.

Letta’s grandchildren were the crowning joy of her life. She made her grandchildren feel special and had a unique name for each of them. Her grandchildren always describe their GrammaLetta or GrammaNiki as patient and loving. She was their safe haven where they could take comfort in unconditional love. They all fondly remember “Tea Time” spent with Gramma.

In later years, Letta was struck with a variety of ailments that would slow her down but would not stop her from spending time with her friends and family.

On August 26, 2010, Letta suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. She was revived but never fully regained consciousness. Nikoletta Osborn died peacefully in the presence of her husband, son and daughter at 1:20 am on September 4, 2010. Her philosophy to treat others as you would like them to treat you is forever ingrained in her family and those that knew her. Her gifts of love and friendship will always be remembered and will live on through her family and friends.