Anne Dimataris

Anne Markos Dimataris, 93, passed away early Tuesday morning. Born in New York, to Greek immigrants, she never forgot where her family came from, but loved the country she was born into. She had many fond memories of growing up in Staten Island with her five siblings, and shared them frequently. Anne graduated high school early and worked in the city as a Secretary for many years, where she worked with some of the very early computers to process data. In 1948, she married the love of her life, Nicholas Dimataris, who she met at the Sons and Daughters of Lemnos social. They enjoyed time with family and friends, and cherished the moments when friends became family. In 1955, they welcomed a son, Gregory, to the family. Anne enjoyed the time they were able to spend visiting the mountains, and the shore on the east coast.

The family moved to Houston in 1974, where they were active in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and in 1993 she became a charter member of St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church in West Houston. Regardless of where Anne lived, she was active in the Church, Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope, and always a supporter of the church youth groups such as YALs. She served on the Board of Philoptochos in New York and was involved in organizing the Vasilopita Auctions as an annual fundraising event for St. Basil Academy. In her later life, she was not able to participate, but loved hearing about the various church ministries and encouraged her family to practice their faith and supported their participation in the church ministries.

Throughout her life, through good and bad, she always kept her faith. This never wavered and from this constant, she found the strength of character to face all challenges and changes that life brought her way with grace. She was the definition of a Greek “Yiayia” and loved teaching her family about the Greek culture and traditions which were fundamental in her upbringing. Above all was the goal to be the best at whatever you set your mind to.

She is predeceased in death, by her parents, Thomas and Fannie Markos; husband, Nicholas; son, Gregory; brothers, Peter, Steven, and George; sisters, Anastasia, Efrosini, and Efrosini; sisters-in-law, Antonia, Katherine, and Victoria; brothers-in-law, John, and Charles; cousins, Mary, Dina, Peter, George, James, Chris, Herman, George; and niece, Marie. She is survived by her beloved brother, Harry, and sister-in-law, Angela, caring daughter-in-law, Mary, and loving granddaughter, Kathy, and numerous nieces and nephews on both coasts.

The family wishes to thank her doctors and the staff of Eagle’s Trace Continuing Care Unit and the cardiac floors of Memorial Herman Memorial City Hospital for their patience and care.

Pallbearers are Emanuel Stamatakis, Jerome Burbridge, Andrew Constantinou, John Rigas, Arist Sarandos, and Mario Viteri. Honorary pallbearers are George Sarandos, Bernie “BJ” Rigas and Kosta Alexopoulos. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Trisagion Service at 7:00 P.M. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home 13001 Katy Freeway. The funeral liturgy will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Eldridge Parkway, followed by burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Father Luke Palumbis will officiate.