Anastasia Smyrnakis

She was predeceased in death by her husband of 50 years Elias “Louie” Smyrnakis, her parents Panayiotis Matandos and Kalliope Kapatinakis, her brother Nicholas Matandos, and sisters; Irene, Helen, Marika and Chryssanthie. She is survived by her daughter Theresa (Jorge), son Theodore “Teddy”, Brother Elias Matandos and many wonderful Nephews and Nieces. She was born in Alexandria, Egypt on April 11th, 1930. Her family raised racehorses and were distinguished among families within in the community.

Fluent in multiple languages including Greek, Arabic, French, Italian, English, & some Spanish, she was an avid volleyball and basketball player in school. She spent much of her youth in Egypt working for the family business and in a retail camera/photo shop until she got the calling to assist big sister with her family in Upstate New York. As it was always her family’s plan to return home, she instead met Elias, fell in love, and remained in the US to marry and raise a family. Her family members eventually migrated to places like Sao Paulo, Brazil, Beirut, Lebanon and Paris, France.

While in New York Anastasia became a big part of the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington Heights. She and Elias were inaugural members of the church becoming long term officers on of the Board of Directors and the Grand Choir. There she taught Sunday School and played a huge role in the women’s Philanthropic Group, Philoptochos. In 1972 the family made the decision to move to Florida as Elias had a huge employment opportunity and saw this as a great place to continue to raise his small family. The family immediately became part of the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church community with roles like that of New York. Anastasia a fantastic cook and baker, became an interictal part of the church’s Annual Festival where her Greek Easter Cookies “Koulourakia” recipe was used for decades back in the day when the ladies of the church all took part in baking the festival goodies. She sang in the church choir, became a lifetime member of St. John’s Philoptochos Society and was even the Church Girls Volleyball Team Head Coach for a season!

As her children grew old enough to fend for themselves, Anastasia went to work for Hillsborough County School System as a school lunchroom lady. Her love for children and her nurturing manner made her perfect for the role. She worked for a little over a decade serving schools in the immediate area; Mitchell Elementary and Plant High School to name a few. After retiring from the school system Anastasia went back to what she did best, tend to her husband her family and her church. She was very worldly and knew her religion better than most. She knew every little Holy Day and was ready to pick up that phone to wish whosever’s Name Day it was “Xronia Polla”! She was passionate about everything she did. Her baking was perfection, her cooking was bar none! She was giving and loving. If she had something that you mentioned you liked……she considered it yours. A very unselfish soul that gave and gave without receiving. And funny…if you did not know the funny, joking, laughing and practical jokester side of her…… then you DID NOT know her.

God will use her capabilities wisely in Heaven. Her family members have been waiting to rejoice with her and the Lord. She will be missed severely here on earth but it’s time for her to fulfill her greatest role. Please don’t be sad for her, be glad, be proud, and honored that you got to know her and send her hopes and prayers that you will meet her once again. Zoi Se Sas!

Funeral services for Anastasia Smyrnakis are as follows: Wake: Wednesday, March 30th from 4-6PM with a Trisagion Service at 5PM. Blount Currey Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL

Funeral: Thursday, March 31st 10AM St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 2418 Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL. 11:00AM Internment services to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa.

Flowers are welcomed or you may donate to St. John’s in the Smyrnakis Family name in lieu of flowers. See website for donation options https://stjohntpa.org/welcome/ or speak to a church representative. Please dress accordingly. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the church office at 813 876-8830.