Loving wife, sister, mom, Yia Yia, and Great Yia Yia
March, 8, 1928 - August 4, 2024
Viola Paraskevi Archon, was born in Weirton, West Virginia on March 8, 1928. She was the
youngest of four children of Zacharius and Archontia Kalipolitis, originally from the island of
Crete.
Within a couple of years, Vi and her family moved to Manhattan, New York where she attended
school and graduated high school in 1946. After high school Vi attended finishing school to
become a seamstress. Most people were not aware, but Vi made nearly all of her own clothes
until she stopped sewing late in life.
On vacation in upstate New York, she met the man of her dreams, Emanuel (Manny) Archon. In
less than a year they were married (summer of 1957) and by the next fall they started a family.
Their son Bob was born in the fall of 1958 and a second son, Mark was born a couple of years
later in 1961.
The Archon family moved to sunny California in the summer of 1974 and have called it home
ever since. Vi and the family became very involved in the St. George Greek Orthodox
community in Fresno. Vi was a member of the Daughter’s of Penelope, the Philoptochos
Society, and the St. George Sunday School – secretary for 30 years! She loved her St. George
family and made many close friends over the years.
Vi is predeceased by her husband Manny Archon, sisters, Mary Kalipolitis and Kally Machio and
brother Gus Kalipolitis. Vi leaves behind two sons, Rev. Fr. Robert Archon, Ph.D. and his wife
Caliope and Mark Archon, Ed.D. and his wife Holly. She also leaves behind several grandchildren
and great grandchildren. Grandchildren, Nicole Ward, Erin Archon, Alexi Archon and Emily
Archon. Great grandchildren Eddie and Ellie Ward.
A funeral service for Viola will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N Orchard St, Fresno, CA 93703.