Dorothy Agothy Skoufis

God gave us the gift of the most caring wife, mother, grandmother (Nona), great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, Dorothy Agothy Mellas Skoufis, who passed away at the age of 96, on Monday, March 21, 2022.

She fought so hard to live but God decided it was time for her to rest and enjoy those that have preceded her passing – her beloved husband, Frederic C. Skoufis, parents Malvina Belle (Palmer) and John George Mellas, siblings, George Mellas (Betty), Mary Mellas McDemas (Tony), Andrew Mellas, Helen Mellas Smith (Caleb) and Beverly Mellas Balasis (Gus), father-in-law, Reverend Charlambos Skoufis and mother-in- law Prysbetera Amalia Skoufis, sister-in-law, Jennie Skoufis, brother-in-law Elie C. Skofis, sister-in-law Koula Callas Skofis, nephew George Skofis, and great nephew, James McDemas.

Dorothy Agothy was born on April 13, 1925 to Malvina Belle (Palmer) and John George Mellas in Bakersfield, California. She attended Jefferson Elementary. When she was 12, her father, who worked for Southern Pacific, was transferred to Los Angeles where she and her older sister, Helen, attended the new art deco Florence Nightingale Junior High and Lincoln High School. Dorothy enjoyed her favorite classes of homemaking and cosmetology and this is where she started her dream of a professional career as a cosmetologist. The family relocated to Bakersfield in 1941 and Dorothy earned enough credits to graduate a year early from East Bakersfield High in 1942. The foundation of Dorothy's family values and strong work ethic began with the love and trust received from her family and Greek Orthodox community which stressed honesty, morality, giving, sharing, and helping others. As a young girl in Bakersfield, Dorothy thoroughly enjoyed dancing in Meglin Kiddies, a well-known children's troupe of music and dance performers. Dorothy embraced music and dancing and would eventually meet her future husband, Frederic C. Skoufis at a church community dance in Fresno.

Following high school graduation, Dorothy enrolled in Cosmetology School in Bakersfield and achieved noted recognition in her profession, working at The French Shop on Baker Street. She also served as President of the Bakersfield Chapter of the Greek Ahepa Daughters of Penelope from 1946-47. In 1946, Dorothy met the love of her life, Frederic C. Skoufis, at a Greek Community dance in Fresno. She was so proud of her beloved Fred and his loyal and ambitious career with Bank of America. They were married in July of 1947, by her father-in-law, Reverend Charlambos Skoufis with over 700 guests in attendance.

Following her marriage, Dorothy continued her career in cosmetology and was hired by Glamour Manor on North Maple Avenue where she worked for five years. She also faithfully assisted her beloved mother-in-law in caring for her father-in-law, Reverend Skoufis following a stroke he suffered from 1949-50.

After her daughters, Amalia and Joann were born, Dorothy enrolled in art classes at Fresno City College in 1957, painting landscapes and still life in oils and watercolors. Her collective work includes over 25 paintings and would lead to a lifetime of art appreciation. Those who know Fred and Dorothy, also know how they embraced color and design, and the joy of annual vacations to Carmel and Monterey, where they acquired art from local California artists. In Salinas, they also enjoyed visiting cherished dear lifelong friends, George and Jeanne Elliott and their sons and families. They also made a lifelong dream come true, when in 1979, they traveled to Copenhagen, Bavaria Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and France.

After her dear husband, Fred, passed away in 1993, Dorothy and her daughter, Joann, traveled to see art and historical sites in London, Paris, The Netherlands, Greece, and the Holy Land. They also traveled to Hawaii to visit Amalia, Joe, Hilary, and Elizabeth when Joe was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter. Dorothy was very proud of Joe's career in the military, and Amalia's career as a special education teacher.

Dorothy was very proud of her daughter, Joann, and her 47 year career in neo-natal nursing and as a pediatric nurse practitioner. For the past 29 years, Joann was also a devoted caregiver to her mother.

Dorothy was an incredible woman of amazing strength, courage, and intelligence, with a keen memory in recalling all of the birthdays of friends and family. If you received a card from Dorothy, it was truly from her heart. She had a most beautiful smile. She was very proud to serve 3 years as a volunteer for Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fresno, and when she made friends, she made them for life. In her most recent years, she had a lovely group of close friends that met every Wednesday night to knit, stitch and visit.

Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Amalia Colby (Joe), and JoAnn Skoufis. She is also survived by her two loving granddaughters, Hilary Colby Zumbrennen (George) and Elizabeth Colby Rodgers (Jesse), whom she adored. She was very proud of Hilary's and Elizabeth's accomplishments. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Stephanie Zumbrennen Runge, Ian Zumbrennen, Jackson Frederic Rodgers and Brendan Rodgers whom she adored. Aunt Dorothy was loved by Tino McDemas (Sheri), Tony McDemas, Sierra McDemas, Lily McDemas, Angie Fotopulos (Tom), Dea Fotopulos, Maria Fotopulos Nicolacoudis (Nick), Mia Nicolacoudis, Angelica Nicolacoudis, Peter Fotopulos, Jeannette Boller, Scott Boller (Sonya), Samantha Boller, Sebastian Boller, Dan Boller (Peggy), Elias Boller, Sharon Mellas Herfert, Andrea Clabaugh, Kenneth Clabaugh, John Mellas (Nancy), Michael Balasis, Linda Balasis Cates, Michael Balasis Jr., Harry Skofis, Paulette Skofis Clements (Pat) Coli Clements Mangroo (Ryan), Brooklyn Mangroo, Amelia Mangroo, Stephanie Clements Van Alstyne (Will), Teri Mellas, Dina Mellas, Sia Mellas, Mary Mellas, Helen Mellas, Jim Mellas (Carol) Michael Manual Mellas, Makayla Mellas, Matthew Mellas, Annette Mellas Wilk (Bill) Dean Wilk, and Nico Wilk.

Dorothy was also deeply grateful for the extraordinary and dedicated care given to her by her beloved caregiver, Erika Reynoso, for the past 4 years, as well as the dedicated care from Hinds Hospice.

A Trisagion and Funeral Service will be held at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, at 202 N. Teilman Ave., on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. with a graveside committal service at Belmont Memorial Park to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy's memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, or Hind's Hospice.

The service will be available to view live through Zoom by using the following link:

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82468527978?pwd=andWUm5EZzFMc0V2REMyaVFkV01Fdz09

Meeting ID: 824 6852 7978

Passcode: Skoufis