Stella Kountanis

Stella was born in Vytina (Peloponnesos) Greece on September 27, 1935 to Triandafilos and Sofia Masouros. She met her husband, Pete, while he was stationed in Europe with the US Army. They married on March 9, 1960 and it was then that she made a brave decision to leave her family and home country to build a new life in Antioch, CA.

Stella was one of the many brave young women of her generation to immigrate to America. She faced many challenges between going long periods of time without seeing her parents and siblings to assimilating in a foreign country. She quickly learned English and obtained citizenship. Through her strong faith, she soon found an extended family in the small Greek community of St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburg (now known as St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church). She became an active and devoted parishioner of the church where she taught Sunday school, Greek school, directed the Greek dance group, and was a member of the Philoptohos Society. Instilling love, kindness, faith and culture to the church youth was important to her. She also enjoyed working with children as an aide in the Antioch Unified School District for 25 years.

In 2002 they moved to Rocklin to help raise their twin granddaughters, who she lovingly referred to as her “poulakia” (baby birds). Stella found a new community at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville. She loved bringing people together by cooking and entertaining for family, friends and neighbors. She also enjoyed evening walks, gardening, crocheting, and playing cards.

Stella was vibrant and was known for being loving, maternal and kind. But underneath a sweet and gentle exterior was a tough and strong-willed spirit. She was the family’s matriarch and a second mother to many. She provided endless love, comfort and support when needed. She will be deeply missed by so many.

Stella is survived by her two children, Mary Bales and Pete Triando Kountanis, son-in-law Peter, and her granddaughters Nicole and Samantha, and nieces and nephews. In heaven, she joins her beloved husband, Pete, of 63 years. May their memories be eternal.

A trisagion will be held for Stella on Monday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral on Tuesday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the interment at Rocklin Cemetery. Both trisagion and funeral will be held at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 Stone Canyon Drive, Roseville, CA 95661. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Building Fund.