Claire Critzas

December 15, 1929 - October 8, 2026

Our beloved Yiayia and Mother Claire "Clara" Critzas passed away on October 8, 2026, in Thousand Oaks, California. She lived with a late diagnosis of Parkinson's disease for longer than we knew and spent her last few years alive with us surrounded by people that love her. We can't forget how much she loved to cook and eat good Greek food. Claire was born on December 15, 1929, in the beautiful village of Fournes "Village of the Oranges", Chania, Crete, Greece, Clara "Claire" Critzas, known by her Greek name, Kleanthi Stamatoulaki, was the beloved daughter of Maria Aganaki and Manoli Stamatoulaki. Her Greek name, Kleanthi means "Glory Flower", a beautiful name to carry throughout a life that would touch so many people. Claire's parents were very creative and both her father and brother played musical instruments like the violin in Greece.

Claire grew up in a family of eight children, alongside her seven siblings: the first-born Amalia "Maria", Evaggelos (son's name is Manolis "Stam" Stamatoulaki), 18-month-old female sibling who passed away, then Clara "Claire", Nikos, Kaliopi, Helen, and the youngest sibling Georgia. Her upbringing in Crete instilled in her a deep love for her family, her homeland, and the rich traditions of Greek culture that she would carry with her throughout her life. With her she carried the traditions, resilience, and rich cultural heritage of her beloved Crete. Claire was a devoted homemaker and talented seamstress who had a gift for creating beautiful dresses with her own hands. She was equally gifted in the kitchen, preparing delicious Greek dishes entirely from scratch. Through her cooking she shared not only the flavors of her homeland, but also her love for the people gathered around her table. Her home, her meals, and her handiwork reflected the care she put into everything she did.

At just 17 years old, during World War II, Claire came to the United States as a war bride, where she began a new chapter of her life far from the village where she was born and raised. Her family believed she would live a better life during this era. She arrived in Nevada, where she began learning to speak and write in English while adapting to an entirely new country and way of life. She went to Las Vegas High School where she thrived as a student in the 1950s. The photo for her tribute is from her class of 1954. Determined to learn, she excelled in her English class and even won a writing contest for an essay in which she shared the story of how she came to America. Her accomplishment reflected her perseverance, courage, and pride in the remarkable journey that had brought her across the world. Before meeting her future husband, Anthony "Tony" George Critzas, Kleanthi went by the name Clara Paps. In time, she became known as Claire over the years after marrying Tony. They opened a delicatessen together where her amazing Greek cooking skills touched the hearts and stomachs of many people.

Anthony and Claire had three children, Ray, Christy, and Michelle. Deeply connected to her Cretan roots, she was an active member of the following groups: Southern California Cretans' Association, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & Saint Nicholas Bowling League, where she maintained her connection to the traditions and community of her Orthodox faith and homeland. Claire and her husband spent a lot of quality time traveling with her husband's brother Chuck, his sister Sonia, and Chuck's wife Marie. They are now all reunited in heaven together. Claire was always known as the "Golden Girl". Her best friends and local neighbors Kathy Sapon and Lee Sapon would always make food together for all their families. Claire loved to host card games and play Μπιρίμπα "Biriba" while always being the most hospitable, fiery person we ever knew in the Critzas family. She was truly unstoppable even when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023. This did not stop her from moving and fighting and living a true legacy, even to the very end.

Claire really loved music and Greek dancing. The Πεντοζάλης "Pentozali" was her all-time favorite folk dance. She attended almost every Greek festival at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, helping the families prepare pastries and meals for all the guests and families. Claire indeed was a very feisty, passionate woman. We can't even tell you how much we have learned from this incredible human being, our beautiful Yiayia and mother. She was a saint and no one could ever replace her love and bond we shared with her. We will forever miss you. We miss your voice you had the best and thickest Greek accent that made everyone so happy and full of life. She loved to be surrounded by people she loved. She loved her culture and her family and would always call Alexa her granddaughter her κούκλα "koukla" which means little doll. Claire lived a beautiful 96 years with her husband by her side until his passing in June 2018. They are now together again. We want to thank all the caregivers for loving and nurturing her and toward the end of her life in and outside of her hospice care.

Yiayia Claire, you nurtured and sacrificed your whole life for everyone. We will never forget you and being by your side during your last night of life was one of the hardest things we ever had to witness and experience but you raised us to be strong and resilient as hard as it is now to say this without you by our side. You're always still with us even with every sunrise and when the doves are out. Every orange and tangerine tree will forever remind us of you. We miss you so deeply, but you are now with your husband Anthony, our father and Papou and with all your best friends, siblings, and your beautiful mother too.

Claire is survived by her beloved three children Ray, Michelle, and Christine "Christy" Critzas, her daughter-in-law Susan B. Anthony, and cherished granddaughter Alexa Atkinson. From a young girl growing up in Fournes to a young immigrant finding her place in America, she carried her heritage, strength, and determination with her every step of the way to pass on to future generations. The morning Claire passed our family dog Lily curled beside her on her bed as the sun rays hit her face. Claire always had a love for animals, especially dogs. They are now all running with her in heaven. She taught everyone in the family how to cook, bake, and sew. She is the proud mother of a son who worked and is now retired from the film industry, a daughter who knows how to cook authentic meals and worked in customer service roles, another daughter who is a first-generation college graduate now working in property management for 35+ years, and a granddaughter who is now a songwriter, video editor, musician, & technician with a music technology BFA and teaching credential. Claire always said, "Knowledge is power". She always told everyone to never give up on your dreams and that if you don't know something, you will always figure it out if you put your mind to it.

Σ' αγαπώ. Forever. May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, she wished upon her end of life for everyone to please donate to Saint Nicholas Church which is located at 9501 Balboa Blvd. Northridge, CA 91324. We will honor her legacy on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 and Thursday, October 15th, 2026.

Wednesday October 14th, 2026

Trisagion (Viewing): 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Trisagion Service: 6:30 PM

Location: Bastian & Perrott, Oswald Mortuary, 18728 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA 91324

Thursday October 15th, 2026

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM

Location: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325

Interment (Burial) to follow the funeral service

Location: Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Makaria (Luncheon) to follow the burial

Location: The Savalas Room, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17037 Plummer Street, Northridge, CA 91325

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