Eugenia Peterson Zaferis, or Nia, as she was known to her friends, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2020 at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Ernie, her parents, Evagelia and John Peterson, brothers Peter and George, and sister Dena Charouhas. Her life was centered around the Greek Orthodox Church and community where she made many lifetime friendships. In her younger years she was a member of the Annunciation Church on San Julian Street, where she sang in the choir and wrote for the church newspaper. She was an active member in the Daughters of Penelope. As a newlywed and young mother, she attended Saint Prophet Elias in San Bernardino. Later, she became a lifetime member of her beloved Saint Sophia Cathedral where she served as docent, worked on various committees, attended Bible study and was honored to be celebrated as Philoptohos Mother of the Year.

After graduating from Los Angeles High School, she worked as a bookkeeper at University Extension, UCLA and ultimately rose to the position of principal accountant. She abandoned her career to raise her family, only to return several years later when she and Ernie started United Melon, selling watermelons and Christmas trees, employing hundreds of young Angelenos and endearing herself to much of the youth in the community.

She will be remembered for her sweet nature, her love of family and church, witty poetry, amazing artwork and iconography, her crown of beautiful white hair, and her penchant for a rare New York pepper steak and a glass of Chivas on the rocks with a lemon twist (extra ice).

She is survived by her children Vicky (Van) Ambatielos, Vannie (Dan) Karavas, Patti (Tony) Giapapas, and Jim (Joanna) Zaferis, her grandchildren Amy (Nick) Pappas, Genna (Zack) Ryan, Vanessa (Terry) Thanos, Patrice (Scott) Dragicevich, John Karavas, Anne (Jess) Wilner, Ted Giapapas, Ernie Giapapas, Nia (Alec) Paddock, and Ernie Zaferis, her great grandchildren Alki, Billie, and Evan Pappas, Van and Leo Yaitanes, Jack Ryan, Charlie and Eva Dragicevich, Vicky, Katherine, and Theo Thanos, June and Henry Wilner, her brother Stephen (Tina) Peterson, and many nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 11am at Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Nia may be made to Saint Sophia Cathedral.

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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