Chrissy "Chrissy" Anthony

With our faith in life eternal, we celebrate the life of Chrissy Anthony, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Thursday November 30, 2023.

Chrissy's journey began in January 1934, born to Greek immigrant parents, who instilled in her the values of hard work, faith, and love. Raised by her devoted mother, Katina, and her adoptive father, Nick Andros, Chrissy developed a strong sense of independence and resilience that would serve her well throughout her life.

Born in Houston, her early years were spent in Beaumont, Texas, where she attended Beaumont High School, sowing the seeds of her lifelong love for learning. Chrissy's thirst for knowledge led her Lamar University in Beaumont and then on to St. Basil's Academy in New York, where she further honed her intellect and character. Her professional journey began as a medical technologist in hematology at the Nix Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where her dedication and expertise left an indelible mark on the doctors for whom she worked. Yet, her greatest joy and devotion were to her family. She was married for almost 40 wonderful years to Dan Anthony, a successful San Antonio restaurateur. When Chrissy married Dan, he was a widower with 5 children who had lost their mother, Lila Belle, to Leukemia. Chrissy and Lila Belle played bridge together regularly, and she knew of Lila’s illness. She often did caring and helpful things for Lila before her passing. Chrissy felt that she had truly found her calling when she married Dan and became our mother. Nick and Barclay, two more sons, were added to our large and diverse family.

In the early 70’s Chrissy took on management of the original Sea Island Shrimp House Restaurant in San Antonio. Together, she and Dan built a culinary legacy that has continued to thrive for over five decades, earning a well-deserved place among San Antonio's most popular dining establishments. Her principles of kitchen management, food quality, and service excellence that she established over the years still endure today, as the Anthony family has continuously operated restaurants in San Antonio for over 110 years.

Chrissy lived a grace-filled life imbued with humility. She was a radiant beauty whose wonderful smile and elegance drew people to her, known for her warm hospitality and gentle wit. She was one of those rare people who made everyone feel special in her presence. Above all, Chrissy was a faithful servant of God who put her devotion to family above everything else. Her guiding credo was simple but profound: "Let faith be your guide, put your family first, serve food made with love, and you can't go wrong!" These words encapsulate her essence, and they will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her.

Chrissy was a member of both the Texas and San Antonio Restaurant Associations, and thoroughly enjoyed her involvement with the World Affairs Council. A devout parishioner of St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church in San Antonio, Chrissy was a generous donor to many causes and an active member of the Philoptochos Society. Her passions were as diverse as her interests, which included cooking, travel, bridge, reading, and more recently, a passion that satisfied Chrissy’s competitive streak, playing Rummikub with her new friends at the Forum Assisted Living Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Katina and Nick Andros and by her beloved husband, Dan Anthony. Chrissy is survived by her seven children, Tina (Brian) Weiner; Denise (Charles, decd.) Soodhalter; Madeline (Nabil) Kazzaz; Tom (Ruth) Anthony; Lisa (Doug) Alexander; Nick (Mary) Anthony, and Barclay (Kristi) Anthony, as well as 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Chrissy is also survived by numerous Benglis and Balasis cousins living throughout the U.S and Australia, respectively.Known affectionately as “YiaYia” in the Greek tradition, Chrissy’s legacy lives on through her seven children who carry forward her love, warmth, and vivacity. Her extended family in Greece and Australia, and countless friends, cherish the memories of a remarkable woman who touched their lives in innumerable ways. Chrissy Anthony will be dearly missed, but her memory will forever live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her memory be an eternal blessing to all.

For employees and patrons wishing to honor Chrissy and share stories with the family, there will be visitation on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 1pm to 3:30pm, with memory sharing from 3:30 to 5:00pm. Visitation will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212.

A traditional Greek Orthodox Trisagion Service will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212, on Thursday, December 7, 2023, with visitation at 6:00pm, followed by the service at 7:00pm.

A funeral service to celebrate Chrissy's life will be held at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary's Street San Antonio, TX 78212-3799, or to a Charity of your choice. For those who cannot attend, the service will be broadcast live at www.stsophiagoc.org.

Father Thomas Newlin will officiate. Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park South. Pallbearers are Jimmy Petrutsas, Stuart Petrutsas, Greg Asvestas, Chris Rokas, Carr Skinner, and Danny Organ.

Please click here to view the service for Mrs. Chrissy Anthony.