Eleftheria "Ritsa" Ragias was the second child born in a set of twins in January 1942 to Christo and Vasiliki Katsiberis in the village of Achaiko, Achaias outside of Patra, Greece. She was the youngest of six children.

Her lifelong love of learning started at an early age where one could find her studying late into the night near the light of a kerosene lamp. Her high school located in Kato Achaia was a long trek, roughly 4 1/2 miles each way, which she walked 6 days a week.

After graduating high school, the village proved too small for her desire to learn and acquire a job. She left for Athens and started working at Erythro Stavro Hospital (Red Cross Hospital) and other area hospitals where she worked as a nurses aid. Ritsa simultaneously attended nursing classes in order to acquire more skills and knowledge in the field. The opportunity to travel abroad for work was irresistible, and Ritsa secured a position working in London, England as a nurse.

Ritsa immigrated to Los Angeles in 1969, where her loving family awaited her arrival, and where she made countless friends. While visiting Greece in the summer 1970, she met and married Dimitrios Kimon Ragias at Agia Varvara Church in Patra in August of the same year. In 1971, her beloved husband joined her in Los Angeles where they made steps to quickly establish their own restaurants and start their family.

They moved to Downey in 1974, and were part of the founding members of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. They raised their family in the close-knit Downey community with Church, Greek school, Greek dance, and Philoptochos - where she volunteered and was named "Mother of the Year" in May 2013.

Ritsa is known for her loving, giving and always forgiving spirit. She never held a grudge. She loved showing her love in many ways, mainly by spending quality time with her loved ones.

It was a common sight to see Ritsa's kitchen table packed with friends each afternoon, which later brought about its nickname, "the kafeneio."

Another way she showed love was through food. Her grandchildren will forever remember the tastes, smells, and sounds of the kitchen. Elina Eleftheria and Dimitri Panagiotis especially enjoy Yiayia's specialty preparation of makaronia me kima. Miranda's favorite memory are the red eggs at Easter. She loved the cracking (tsougrisma) of them.

Eleftheria "Ritsa" Ragias quickly passed away on December 3, 2019, due to complications following a massive brain hemorrhage.

She is survived by Dimitrios, her husband of 49 years, daughter Christina Karmos (Tommy), son Panagiotis Ragias (Maria), grandchildren Miranda, Elina, Dimitri and Konstantina, sister Harriet Koliopoulos, niece Soteria Koliopoulos Rutland (Andrew), and many more nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, and friends.

Ritsa was predeceased by her parents and siblings Andreas, Anastasis, Dimitra, and her twin sister, Georgia.

Remember her for her warmth, generosity, and gregarious spirit. We will miss her greatly.

Trisagion at 7pm on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, CA. Funeral service will be held at 10am on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 also at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. Burial to follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, CA.

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

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

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