Emily H. Kerhulas

Emily H. Kerhulas, who hailed from Northridge, California, passed away this past weekend. She was 89 years old and passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was in her own bed and in her own home which she lived in and made a wonderful destination for all for over fifty years. She was married to her husband Alex T. Kerhulas for 36 years, until he passed in 1987. She leaves 3 sons, George, Chris, and Ike, and 7 grandchildren, Alex, Emily, John, Sophia, Alex, Nicholas and P.J., and her three daughter in laws, Cathy, Nicki and Jean.

Emily was born in Chicago and had four other siblings. During the depression their father left the family and their mother died in a tragic accident. The children were put in an orphanage and were adopted by different families. Her brother Chris served heroically in WWII being killed in France serving with Patton. Her brother Jimmy settled in Gulf Port, Mississippi while her two sisters Kanella and Binky were adopted to a family together, leaving her by herself. Through this unfortunate series of events God blessed Emily as she was adopted by George and Vaneta Harakas of Spartanburg, South Carolina. They were her loving parents, who she remained devoted to throughout their wonderful lives together, also shared by her adored younger brother Nicholas Harakas.

Although devoted to her family, she and her other siblings were able to find each other and reunite over the years. Growing up in Spartanburg, she was a talented dancer as she and her partner Pedro won acclaim for their performances. Attending Spartanburg high school she was a scholar and athlete while participating in Glee club, Drama club, and many other extra curricular activities. She also spent some time attending Wofford college. She loved to work as a hostess at her father's famous restaurant, "The Elite". She met her husband Alex, who was from San Francisco, at the Karyae picnic, otherwise known as the Greek "Sadie Hawkins Day". After they married they spent time in Cincinnati where her three sons were born, then moved to Los Angeles settling in the San Fernando Valley city of Van Nuys, then later moving to the home she lived in the remainder of her life in Northridge, California.

Emily was an active member of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish in Northridge, California throughout her life as long as she was physically able to participate. She was a true renaissance woman who taught piano and guitar lessons locally and at her home for over 50 years. One of her favorite things was to host her student's recitals taking great pride in their accomplishments. She was an accomplished artist proficient in many different techniques while specializing in the use of the pallet knife, watercolors, and oil painting. She was an artistic cake maker decades before it became popular and was a gourmet chef. Both she and her husband Alex were master bridge players. Being an avid reader and crossword player she had a wealth of knowledge that made it impossible to compete with her at games such as Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit.

She provided an open family home to all often referred to as Grand Central Station and was the ultimate hostess. She wrote over fifty songs. Her favorite one was for a fashion show hosted by her Saint Nicholas parish entitled "Yassou My Love". She made a holiday out of every event and loving the Christmas Season would be happy to know she passed during it. She often played her favorite Christmas song, "Silver Bells", as she serenaded family and friends on the piano and while singing and playing her guitar.

Friends and family are invited to the Trisagion at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Bastian & Perrott, Oswald Mortuary at 18728 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA 91324. Funeral services to be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 4, 2015 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, California. Interment at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, CA.

Yia Yia Emily touched many throughout her life and will be remembered eternally by all who knew and loved her.