Catherine Zissis Martin, beloved wife, mother, and yiayia, passed away peacefully at the age of 90. She was born on May 18, 1935, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the second child of John and Clara Zissis. She spent her early childhood there before her family relocated to Stockton, California, where she was raised.

Catherine's father, John George Zissis, was from Veria, Greece (Macedonia region), and her mother, Klareti (Clara) Mitrakou, was from Nemea, Greece (Peloponnese region). She graduated from Stockton High School in 1952, where she discovered her love of music through the school choir and pursued business studies, including mastering shorthand - a skill she used throughout her life.

Her love of music led her to the greatest love of her life, George Phillip Martin, whom she met at the Oakland Greek Choir Convention in 1955. They were married on May 18, 1958, in Stockton and shared 60 wonderful years of marriage while raising their three sons: Philip, John, and Patrick.

Catherine devoted herself to raising her three sons as a homemaker in their early years. She later began a career in the aerospace industry, working as an Executive Secretary at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park.  Additionally, she attended Sierra University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1987.  After retiring, she continued her education and received a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Pacific Oaks College in 2005.

Catherine remained deeply connected to her Greek Orthodox faith and community throughout her life. As her family grew, she was an active member of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California, where she sang in the choir and supported her children's involvement in Sunday School, Boy Scouts, and GOYA (church youth group). In the mid-1970s, her husband George combined his love of the Church with his passion for sports by founding the Greek Orthodox Basketball League. Catherine supported his efforts and served as the league's secretary.

She was also a dedicated member of the San Fernando Mission Master Chorale (SFMC) at Pierce College for 13 years, performing throughout the greater Los Angeles area and, notably, at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2005.

When she was not busy with her many commitments, Catherine cherished time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, exercising, and walking her dogs, but she will be especially remembered for her gift of conversation. Her deep love for storytelling - never one to rush a good story, could turn even the simplest moment into something memorable.

Catherine's legacy of hard work, devotion to her Church and family, and the love she shared with all who knew her will live on through her children and grandchildren for generations to come.

She is survived by her sons Philip (Mary), John, and Patrick (Kyoko), and her grandchildren Emily, George, Katerina, and Ayaka. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, George Phillip Martin, and her brothers, George Zissis and Peter Zissis.

Trisagion services will be held Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6:00pm at Bastian & Perrott Mortuary, 18728 Parthenia Street, Northridge, CA, 91324. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 10:00am at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA, 91325. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (memo Choir).

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