Bessie Lambrakis passed away peacefully at her home in Long Beach, CA, on February 11, 2023, at 92. She was the daughter of Pavlos and Olimpia Lambrakis. Olimpia was pregnant with Bessie when the family left Greece in 1930 to come to America. They settled in Worcester, MA, and in 1943 relocated to Long Beach, CA.

Bessie was born Vasiliki Lambrakis, but while growing up in Worcester, a teacher said, "I can't pronounce your name, so you will be Bessie!" It just stuck. While growing up in Long Beach, she helped out at her father's small restaurant, and after graduating from Poly High School in 1948, she went to work for General Telephone in Long Beach, where she became a supervisor.

Bessie loved children and taught Sunday School at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach. Before she married and had her children, she was a "second mother" to her brother Spiro's children (Paul, Mike, Julie and George), and boy, did Thea Bessie spoil them!

Bessie married Manuel "Mel" Parros in 1967, who had two sons, Andrew and Bill, before they had their two daughters, Maria and Diana. Their family also included Bessie's mother, Olimpia, who Bessie and her family took good care of. Bessie's love for children never ceased; after her children were grown, she provided child care for the neighborhood in her home.

In her later years, Bessie liked to stay in touch with her relatives and friends and would spend hours on the telephone. Bessie did not fear the computer (unlike others in her age group) and enjoyed "surfing the web."

Bessie had a great memory and was a "treasure trove" of Lambrakis family history. She had many interesting stories about her relatives and growing up in Worcester. With Bessie's help, her nephew Paul was able to construct a very comprehensive Lambrakis family tree.

One last thing…Bessie did not follow sports at all! She had no idea when any sports championship was taking place, but she had the uncanny knack of deciding to give you a call right at a crucial game moment. So if you are watching the World Series, and it's the bottom of the ninth, and your phone rings... it's probably Bessie!

Bessie lived with her daughter Diana, her son-in-law Jessie and her granddaughter Karah. Just like Bessie, Diana and her family took very good care of her mother.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, Pavlos and Olimpia Lambrakis, brothers Spiro Lambrakis, George Lambrakis, Dionysios Lambrakis (infant), and nephew George S. Lambrakis.

Bessie is survived by her daughters Maria (Steve Vergara) and Diana (Jessie West); granddaughter Karah West and grandson Patrick Vergara; sister-in-law Catherine Lambrakis; nephews Paul Lambrakis, Mike (Rachel) Lambrakis; niece Julie Lambrakis; great-nephews Michael, Kyle, Jake, and Nick; great-nieces Christina, Stephanie, and Zoe; great-great nephew Daniel and great-great nieces Leah, Penelope, Samantha, Elena, Audrey, and Olive.

The funeral service is Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814 and the burial at Forest Lawn, 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the Assumption Church, Sunday School.

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.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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