Kyriakoula "Koula" Tripodes was born in Arethousa, Icaria, Greece on August 12, 1930 and departed this life on August 10, 2023. She was a loving and devoted wife to John Tripodes, who preceded her in death in 1981. A loving mother to Marianthe Tripodes and loving sister to Kostia Parianos of Cleveland, Ohio. Four of her siblings have also preceded her in death between 2012 and 2018.

Koula was the daughter of Konstantinos and Maria (Pitaka) Katsas and the fourth of six children, Kalliope Horaites, Anna Telaloglou, Andreas Katsas, Antigoni Papachristopoulos, and Kostia Parianos.

After losing her father at the beginning of WWII, she and her family fled their island during the occupation by the Germans and Italians. This seemed to be the only means of keeping five children alive during the war time famine. The oldest, Kalliopi was in Athens and would not reunite with her family until after the war. They traveled by boat to Turkey, through Syria and finally to Egypt where they lived in a refugee camp near the Suez under the auspices of the British who were the Allies' main force in the region.

Retuning home after the war, Koula was determined to help support her family. She left for Athens and with the help of relatives became employed by Iro and Michalis Vizas. These were extraordinary people who treated her more like a daughter rather than someone just working in their household. Her time with them enriched her life in many ways and she always kept in touch with them through the years. She also had a special bond with their niece Nina Luke of Costa Mesa, California who she spoke with regularly and reminisced about their time together in Greece.

By the early 1950s Greece was recovering economically from the war and many young people were leaving their hometowns to live, work, go to school in Athens. Koula's best friend was Anna Tripodes from Arethousa, whose family had moved to Athens so eldest daughter Argyro could attend school. Many friends from the same hometown would often gather at their house for parties or go out dancing together. Anna was determined to make Koula a permanent member of her family by matchmaking for her brother John. Soon The Tripodes' would move to the United States, but Anna nurtured the long distance romance between John and Koula, and in 1959 John returned to Greece and the two were married.

In 1960 Koula and John had their daughter Marianthe. By 1962 Koula and Marianthe left Greece to reunite with John in Port Jefferson, New York until eventually settling in Alhambra, California.

In the 60s and 70s the West San Gabriel Valley of Southern California was a burgeoning Icarian community with family and friends just a stone's throw away. Many Icarians were among the founding members of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church of Pasadena. Koula often participated in the preparation of food and sweets for the festivals, worked the Greek coffee booth, donated her homemade fig jam and always said, "Megali hari tou Agiou Antoni." She proudly served and loved her church for nearly 60 years.

Koula's heart always lead her to be in service to others. One of her most rewarding accomplishments was working for Atherton Baptist Homes for 40 years. Atherton was founded by Hannah Atherton Baldwin who aided in the building of a home for retired Ministers and Missionaries. Koula witnessed its expansion through the years, often catering many fund raising events. But her day to day work was cooking for the residents whom she loved, "ta gerontakia." Both staff and residents knew and appreciated her level of commitment and she definitely raised the bar for what some may consider to be just institutional cooking. Always proud to share her culture, Greek sweets were a must for the holidays and special events. She retired in 2004.

Koula Tripodes loved her family, her home, her friends and community. She lived a proud, purposeful life with strength and perseverance. She is now at peace and in God's embrace. May her memory be eternal.

Services will be held at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. The Trisagion will be at 7:00pm on Wednesday August 23, 2023. The funeral will be at 11:00am on Thursday August 24, 2023. Makaria reception immediately following the funeral service, in the church hall. Interment at San Gabriel Cemetery, 601 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel, CA 91175.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfunerals.com .

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