Athanasia Pozirekides of Granada Hills, CA passed away peacefully on August 17 at
home with family by her side. Athanasia was born in Epirus, Greece. Predeceased by her loving
husband Peter (Panayiotis) Pozirekides.
Athanasia is survived by her sisters; Efrosini Papathanasiou, Irini (Taki) Papakosta;
Her children Pandora (David) Randall, Simon Pozirekides, Lefkothea (Scott) Horner, Afroditi
(Mitchell) Lawson, and Dimitra Semponis. Her grandchildren whom she touted proudly were like
“double her children”; Christopher ( Deanna) Randall, Melissa Randall, Gregory (Laurelyn)
Karagianis, Tani Pozirekides, Peter Karagianis, Constance Semponis (John Abrams), Angelica
(Shaun) Doumak, Peter Troy Pozirekides, Frank Semponis, and Michael Lawson. She is
continually survived by her great grandchildren Emilia & Cassie Chan, Evangelene & Zayle
Karagianis, and Nadia Randall,
In 1954 Soula married Peter and their journey took them from Greece to Canada and
then to pursue the American dream where they established themselves in the beautiful San
Fernando Valley during the glory days of the 1970s.
Athanasia, A.K.A Mrs. Pozi, Soula, and “Church Bread Yiayia” was happiest when she
was surrounded by and cooking for her family. It was the “Yiayiaverse.” She was a proud and
talented homemaker in the truest sense. She could fix anything, come to the rescue (like killing
rattle snakes in the yard),and always protected her family, particularly the grandchildren, like a
lioness. No one messed with Yiayia if they knew what was good for them. She emanated
warmth and kindness throughout her faith driven life. Her natural talent for being able to grow
anything in her garden to making the most incredible meals leaves a legacy of motherhood and
Yiayiahood to be passed down to the future generations of Pozi’s.
One of her proudest moments was becoming an American Citizen. She waved her flag
so proudly that day and always declared how lucky we are to live in this country. Even in her
final days she proudly dawned her American flag blanket and repeated the phrase “Akrivos” to
her best friend Demetra Kleissas as they loudly opined on the news of the day.
Mrs. Pozi was the Food Network before it was even conceptualized and her reality show
was much more entertaining. Her children would tolerate the pricks of hot oil on their fingers
because they couldn't wait any longer to eat the most amazing meatballs in the galaxy. We all
learned a lot of resourcefulness from watching her throughout the years. From peeling potatoes
with the edge of a not so sharp knife (which was also used as a screwdriver), wielding the
Koutala when necessary, to aiming her pandofla in her younger Mom days to create order in the
house with five children, but of course never to the grandchildren.
Mrs. Pozi was a dedicated member of Saint Nicholas Church (Northridge, CA). Every
Saturday the aroma of fresh baking Prosphora bread used for Sunday Liturgy would fill the
house. She always made smaller loaves for the kids, and then the grandkids, and then the great
grandkids. Every year her massive Vasilopita (New Year’s Bread) was sliced by the priest in a
grand celebration for the feast day of Saint Basil. She was so proud of her Greek Orthodox
heritage and her grandfather who made Prosphora in his bakery in Constantinople for Hagia
Sophia almost a century ago. She tearfully recited a beautiful poem of adulation for that great
Orthodox Cathedral that so recently brought heartache of being seized again. The poem
describes the tearful icon of the Virgin Mary and in response the Archangel Michael telling her
“not to cry because one day it will be ours again.”
Athanasia's inspiring love for her family, faith in the Lord, and passion for the church
have distinguished her life’s journey. “Church Bread Yiayia” lives in our hearts always. Akrivos!
Due to the Pandemic and the current restrictions imposed by California government officials,
The funeral service will be held Friday August 21 at 10am, graveside at Oakwood Cemetery in
Chatsworth, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church,
Northridge.
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