Demetra Howland

God saw you getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So He put his arms around you,

And whispered “Come to me”.

With tearful eyes we

Watched you suffer,

And saw you fall away.

Although we couldn't bear to lose you,

We could not ask you to stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hardworking hands laid to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

That He only takes the best.

“May her memory be eternal.”

Trisagion

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

3459 Manchester Avenue

Cardiff by the Sea, Ca 92007

Monday, February 13, 2023

6:30-7:00 pm

Reception immediately following

Funeral Service

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

3459 Manchester Avenue

Cardiff by the Sea, Ca 92007

Rev. Father Michael Sitaras

Rev. Father Angelo Maginas

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

10:30-11:30 am

Makaria (Meal of Mercy) immediately following

Committal Service

Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Mortuary & Crematory

1999 El Camino Real

Oceanside, Ca 92054

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

2:30 pm

For Immediate Family

Mimi’s expressed the wish that In lieu of flowers, please donate to:

Tri-City Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund (760) 940-3125 or

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church (760) 942-0920

Mimi “Demetra” Howland of Oceanside California, passed away peacefully from natural causes at home on January 28th, surrounded by her loving family. She was 96. Mimi was born in Joliet IL, the fourth of eight children of Greek immigrant parents who were born in the Athen's area of Greece; the daughter of George A. and Evangeline (Policandriotes) Griparis.

Mimi’s life can be summed up by her love of family (and extended family), her devotion to her Greek Orthodox religion and Church, her contributions through her volunteer work at many community organizations, all her wonderful friends and her endless joy of cooking and baking.

Although Mimi was not a college graduate and didn't actually graduate high school until 1975 with a GED after dropping out of high school her junior year for a personal reason, she was modestly extremely intelligent, skipping second grade and achieving almost straight A's through the 8th grade. So, between her father's example and his encouragement to give back to the community through volunteer work, the strong family work ethic instilled within her and her intelligence, Mimi earned numerous high honor awards and accomplishments throughout her life; None of which were for the recognition or spotlight! She simply dedicated her entire life selflessly to help others, her community & church and to give back to her country that she loved so dearly.

Cooking was Mimi’s passion and life. She started cooking for pay at age 12 and held numerous professional jobs cooking; at restaurants, Ben Franklin Jr HS, Teaneck College NJ, at a University of Denver Fraternity House, catering business, etc. She was an excellent cook and loved to watch people enjoy her cooking.

To summarize a few of Mimi’s numerous awards and accomplishments:

Mother of the Year Award 2011- Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

2014 AGAPE AWARD Certificate of Merit “in honor of unselfish continuous dedication and service” - The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of San Fransisco- awarded by the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America and National Philoptochos President

Mimi took some college classes and Graduated Clown School as “MimBo” the Clown

7000+ Volunteer Hours Award at Tri-City Hospital for 30+ years of dedicated volunteering at the main hospital front desk

Started the “Christian Outreach” program to welcome and greet church newcomers at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church 34 years ago.

1988- Originated and co-founded the Oceanside Newcomers & Friends chapter currently with over 150 members

Founder of the Thursday Baking Group in 1988– Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church- the group raised over $250,000 in bake-good sales for the church of which money was donated towards the church building fund and basic church expenditures, purchase of the Philoptochos china and silverware, remodeling of the church kitchen, the church message sign, etc. Mimi was an active leader and volunteer for over 30+ years

“Prime Timers” Group founder at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church

Mimi held numerous elected and volunteer positions throughout her life including President of the Daughters of Penelope, President of the Oceanside Newcomers and Friends chapter, served on the Tri-City Hospital volunteer board and was an officer, and several more

Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Ridgewood H.S. Color Guard and A Capella Choir volunteer and fund raiser, an active member of the San Diego Madres, etc

Mimi married Frederick G. Howland on Dec 4, 1954 after meeting him at the YMCA in Joliet, IL while she was volunteering as leader of the Christians Youth Group. “Fred” was the first son of English immigrants, Frederick W. and Ellen J. (Russel) Howland and was born and raised in Rochester, NY. After serving in Europe during WWII in General Patton's Third Army, Fred earned his Engineering BS degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Rochester utilizing the GI Bill. His first job after graduating landed him at the US Steel Plant in Joliet where he lived at the YMCA. After several company initialed moves (NYC/Ridgewood, NJ; Denver, Co; Louisville, KY; Chicago, IL) and a long and distinguished career ending with ARCO as the Director of the Arco Research and Development facility in Arlington Heights, IL, they retired in Oceanside, Ca in 1987. They were happily married for 38 years until Fred suddenly passed away after a brain aneurysm almost 30 years prior to the day of Mimi's passing.

Mimi and Fred adopted 2 children at birth, Frederick “Rick” W. Howland II (age 65) and Margaret “Peg or Sara” E. Howland (age 63). Rick lives in Huntington Beach, Ca with his fiancé Charly. Peg has lived with her mom Mimi for 28 years and as an RN, took wonderful care of Mimi the last 5+ years. They were more like “best friends” than mother-daughter and Mimi often referred to Peg as her “Guardian Angel”.

Mimi had 3 grandchildren, Brittany E. Howland (age 36, born with special needs) living in Fountain Valley, Ca with her mother; Gregory J. Howland (age 32) currently attending Medical School in Las Cruces, NM and Chelsea N. Howland (age 32) living and working almost 9 years in Honolulu, Hi where she graduated college.

Brittany, their 1st grandchild, not yet born, was the reason why Mimi and Fred moved to Oceanside in 1987.

Mimi is survived by her 2 remaining siblings; Helen (James) Chioles (age 93) living with her daughter Denise and husband Mark Vershay in the Atlanta, Ga area, John “Jack” (Judy) Griparis (age 89), living in the Joliet, IL area and her sister-in-laws, Carolyn (James) Griparis living in Rockford, IL and Elsbeth (Harvey) Howland living in Penfield, NY. Predeceased by her parents, her In-laws, 5 of her siblings and 5 of her in-laws; Sophia (John) Kontos, Andrew (Bess) Griparis, Mary (Pete) Honiotes, Penelope (John) Obren, James (Helen) Chioles, James (Carolyn) Griparis. Mimi is survived too many to count nephews & nieces and their children and their families, cousins, 2nd cousins, extended family (Norma, Arlene, etc) and friends (David M., Danny A., Bill B., Vince S., Peter F., etc)…........

Go to www.EternalHillsMortuary,com for more details.

Special thanks to Gigi Obren, Laure Bemis and Pam Pierce for all their Love, Help, Support and Prayers