Eleftheria "Ritsa" Bravos Halekakis passed away peacefully on Friday, July 1st, 2022 at 12:15pm at her daughter and son-in-law's home in Sherman Oaks, California. She was born on July 29, 1936 in Lykouria, a village in Kalavryta; in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. She was the third eldest of five children; Maria, Fofo, Panos, and Rena.

Her childhood was one of extreme loss and trauma. With the onset of World War II and Greek Communists inhabiting the village, it engendered a period of great hardship and suffering. Her father, Anastasios Bravos was brutally murdered when she was only seven years old. Her mother, Evyenia, was also taken, beaten and imprisoned.

In the weeks that followed, her childhood home was burned down by German forces and the family was forced to live in hiding in the surrounding mountains of the village. They subsequently escaped in the night by donkey where they fled to the city of Pireaus to live with her uncles.

At ten years old, Ritsa was sent to an orphanage run by nuns, where she was able to complete her education and receive a high school diploma. She was accepted with full scholarship into a university on the island of Rhodes, Greece. However, out of necessity and devotion to her family, she stayed to assist in the child-rearing of her two infant cousins, who came from New York, while their parents completed their medical doctorates in the United States.

Two years later, in 1961, Ritsa traveled with her young cousins to New York to return them to their parents. She was then hired to work as a caregiver for an elderly Greek woman where she lived at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. During these four years, she would send money to her mother and sister, bought clothes for her niece in Greece, and saved her own money for her dowry in hopes she would one day marry.

After her employment ended in New York, Ritsa relocated to Los Angeles in 1965 to be close to her siblings, and worked at her brother's nightclub, the Greek Village. In November, she met the love of her life, Steve Halekakis. He was the perfect gentleman; chivalrous, loving, and kind. He asked her brother for her hand in marriage, and on August 21st, 1966 they were married at Saint Sophia Cathedral. They have two daughters, Katerina and Jenny who were raised with the utmost love and dedication to their well-being and education.

Throughout the years, Ritsa gave so much of herself to her family, and especially to her mother Evgenia, who resided with her and her family for 25 years. She also supported and helped her siblings by working at their nightclub, the Athenian Gardens, where she indulged her affinity for Greek music.

She hosted countless holiday feasts along with her husband and mastered the art of gourmet Greek cuisine. She created delicious meals and delectable desserts for all to enjoy. Every holiday, she would bake cookies and cakes to give to her family. She loved cooking, entertaining, and her home was always open to her siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. You would never leave her home hungry or empty handed.

Ritsa was a devout Orthodox Christian; attended church regularly with her family, and was an active member of the Philoptochos Society and a dedicated parishioner at Saint Sophia Cathedral, where she was involved in supporting the Junior Choir, cooking and baking for festivals, Holy Week, and other holidays and events held by her beloved parish.

Becoming a grandmother brought her the greatest joy and truly lit up her later life. Ritsa would pick up her grandchildren from elementary school nearly every day and devoted her later years in helping to raise them. She absolutely adored them and loved being their YiaYia.

She experienced severe loss and grief after her beloved husband of 52 years passed away in November of 2018. Less than 6 months later, she suffered a massive stroke and was left bedridden for the remaining 3 years of her life and endured many illnesses. Yet even during those difficult times, her perseverance was exemplified in her utter devotion, concern, and love for her children and grandchildren. Her love never wavered despite her limitations.

The horrific pain from her childhood fueled her devotion and unyielding, unconditional love to give to the family she was born into, and the family she created. Ritsa had an innate empathy, with the purest heart of gold, and always cared so much for those around her. She was an amazingly kind, warm, and vibrant force that blessed our lives.

Ritsa is survived by her two daughters, Katerina and Jenny, her son-in-law Benn, her two grandchildren, Ianni and Chrysanthe, her sisters Maria and Rena, her cousins Lillian and Mary, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a remarkably strong woman filled with so much love and goodness and will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. She will remain in our hearts always and our lives will never be the same without her.

Trisagion service will be held at Saint Sophia Cathedral on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 7pm. Funeral service will be held at Saint Sophia Cathedral on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 12:00pm. Interment to follow at 2:30pm at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

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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