Catherine Z. Prineas of Lakewood, California passed away at the age of 93 on February 18, 2018 from complications due to surgery.

Catherine was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 16, 1924 to Zachary Zarifes and Georgia (Chibukos) Zarifes. She was the fourth child; her siblings from oldest to youngest: Anne Karas, Angeline Prineas, Edna Marinos, Pete J. Zarifes, Tina Super, and Pamela J. Edwards.

In 1941, after her oldest sister, Anne, moved to Chicago upon her marriage, the entire family moved from Des Moines to Chicago. Catherine's last year of high school was at Austin High, from which she graduated in 1942, but she always identified with her former class at North High in Des Moines, and chose to attend the 50th reunion in 1992 of North High rather than that of Austin High in Chicago.

Her sister Angeline moved to Long Beach, CA, to work for their cousin, Peter D. Zarifes, at the Nuway Shoe Repair on Pine Avenue. Angeline married Ernest Prineas, a Nuway employee and friend of the family. In 1943, Angeline had a daughter Sugar. Catherine moved to Long Beach to help her sister with the baby. While in Long Beach helping her sister, she met her future husband, Theodore F. Prineas, the brother-in-law of her sister Angie. Catherine later married Theodore on February 9, 1947 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on San Julian Street in Los Angeles, CA. They were married for forty-eight years, until his death in 1995.

Catherine worked at the Port of Embarkation, which was responsible for moving military personnel and supplies to the Pacific during World War II. Later she returned to the telephone company for which she had previously worked in Chicago, going on to work for General Telephone Company (later becoming GTE) for many years, until her retirement in 1989. She was a member of the Independent Telephone Pioneers Association - an organization dedicated to community service and serving the public on behalf of telecommunications companies.

Catherine was a 50-plus year member of the Daughters of Penelope, Minos Chapter #159 in Long Beach, CA. The Daughters of Penelope mission is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family & Individual Excellence. She was also a Past President of the Minos Chapter, District #20 Penelope of the Year in 1970-1971, and Chairman of several Daughters of Penelope District #20 Convention business meetings.

She was active in the Assumption Church since its inception on Pacific Avenue in Long Beach in 1949, teaching Sunday School to the 5th graders for many years, and later being Superintendent of the Sunday School as well.

Whether it was at work, at church, or for the Daughters of Penelope, or with her family, she was known for her intelligence, determination, and high energy, which enabled her to work full-time as well as take care of her household.

After Catherine retired, she was active in the Assumption Senior Citizens in Long Beach, CA.

Catherine was thoughtful, always remembering extended family's birthdays with cards and gifts. She had a great memory and could share details about family history. She was an excellent cook and baker, and was renowned for the best cheesecake pies (we think Marie Callender's copied her recipe), chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate brownies.

She is survived by her son, Zachary T. Prineas, her sister, Pamela J. Edwards (Nickolas W. Edwards), and many nieces and nephews, all of whom knew her as "Thea Koty" or just "TK."

She is predeceased by her husband, Theodore F. Prineas, her brother, Pete J. Zarifes, and her sisters, Anne Karas, Angeline Prineas, Edna Marinos, and Tina Super.

Trisagion service on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 7 p.m. The funeral service on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Makaria immediately following the funeral service. All services at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814. Burial at Forest Lawn Cypress.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Assumption Church.

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

______________________________

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

AmericanObituary.com  is a  Baywalk Marketing  service.

facebook.com/AmericanObituary  -  twitter.com/AmericaObituary