Sylvia Kalomiris

On October 31, 2023, Asimenia "Sylvia" Mennes Kalomiris, loving wife, mother and grandmother fell asleep with the Lord at the age of 80. She is predeceased by her husband, Pete Kalomiris, and is survived by her children Jim (Frances) and Toni (Rick), and her two grandchildren Athanasia and Cole.

Sylvia was born on November 3, 1942, in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Frangoulis and Paraskevoula Mennes. Her mother’s side of the family migrated to Pittsburgh from Marmara,Turkey and her father’s side migrated from Chios, Greece. She was especially proud to call herself a Xiotisa.

Sylvia loved her upbringing because she lived close to many relatives. She never felt like an only child as her cousins were like siblings. In her youth, she was an active member of the Presentation of Christ Greek Orthodox Church (Ypapanti), GOYA, choir, Children’s Hospital, and the Pittsburgh Folk Dance Festival. She graduated from East Pittsburgh High School and then went to Robert Morris Business School. As a young adult, she was the winner of the 1963 Miss Chios Beauty Pageant. She also came in second at the GAPA (Greek American Progressive Association) Convention. She was proud to have been chosen to participate in the Greek Independence Day Parade in New York.

She married Michael Demetrios Kyriazis and moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1965. Soon after, she gave birth to their son Demetrios "Jim" Michael and then to their daughter Paraskevi Antonia "Toni" in 1967 in Dearborn, Michigan. In 1972, they moved to Queens, New York.

After her divorce, Sylvia, her parents, and her children moved to Granada Hills, California on May 21, 1980. Here, she eventually reunited with her Pittsburgh teenage sweetheart - Pete Kalomiris and they married on June 18, 1981 in Las Vegas. Later, on August 16, 1998, they had their marriage blessed at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California.

After moving, she became an active parishioner of Saint Nicholas. She was a member of the bowling league, OPA club, Philoptochos, and worked the church festival serving pastries and helping her son at his food booth. She was there day and night and looked forward to the festival every year!

Sylvia worked hard as a dedicated housewife, mother, and partner in the family business, the Frosty Queen. In addition, because of her love for children, she started her own home daycare. She treated all the children as if they were her own and found much joy in caring for them. Once Pete and Sylvia retired, they began traveling to Greece, taking many cruises with their friends, and going on weekend getaways to Las Vegas… specifically to her beloved Golden Nugget where she would get lost all night at the poker machine.

Sylvia was the matriarch of the family. She was loyal, strong, loving, and selfless person with a heart of gold and an infectious smile. She had many different circles of friends and was often referred to as the “ring leader” because she gathered everyone together, even her friends from high school until her last days. Sylvia was very proud of her Greek heritage and loved listening, singing along and dancing to Greek music... and boy could she dance! She also was a talented baker and famous for her Greek pastries, like galaktobouriko and Vasilopita. Sylvia loved sports, especially watching her Pittsburgh Steelers. She was one of their most loyal fans and would not leave her house when they were playing.

She will forever be missed. May God rest her dear soul and may her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, California 91325.

Trisagion at 7:00pm on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Bastian & Perrott Mortuary, 18728 Parthenia Street, Northridge, California 91324.

Funeral service at 11:00am on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Burial at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, California 91311. Makaria/Luncheon to follow at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BastianandPerrott-OswaldMortuary.com for the Kalomiris family.