Our Agape, Frances Bissias passed away peacefully on October 14, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born Afrodite Georgouses in Kalamata, Greece to Nick and Eleni Georgouses. She came to this country and settled in Chicago.
In 1959 she met and married Nicolaos Bissias at The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Los Angeles where they started building their life together working side by side in the restaurant and real estate business. They were the proud parents of Peter, Elaine and Diane and devoted grandparents to their beloved and cherished Taia. Frances was preceded in death by her brothers Philip, George and Mario and is survived by her sister Katherine.
"Fruto", as she was lovingly know by all, dedicated her life to Saint Sophia Cathedral and The Philoptochos Society. She served on the National Philoptochos Board, was President of Saint Sophia Philoptochos a lifetime National Board member and her treasured VIP committee. She loved her family, she loved her faith, but most of all she loved the church. She gave of herself so freely and openly to anyone she came in contact with and had a special gift of recognizing those in need and never hesitating to help anyone.
Frances was an innovative leader and a visionary. She was instrumental in leading the effort to build the Saint Sophia Apartment Complex. She was also able to extend Philoptochos philanthropy to the greater Los Angeles community by being a chairman of many Philoptochos committees and fundraising events including Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, UCLA School of Medicine Research Scholarship Fund, Foothill Committee of Special Childrens League and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America. Frances was a benefactor of the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos, Saint Sophia Camp and Saint Basil Academy in New York. For her philanthropy, fellowship, and faith in action Frances received the Medal of Saint Paul, which is the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America.
Frances and her husband Nick who is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a member of Leadership 100 and an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient built a beautiful life together full of love and generosity. Her greatest gift to her family has been that of patience, compassion and most of all love. She was an extraordinary woman but above all she was a dedicated wife, loving mother and the best friend that anyone could ask for. She was truly amazing. Frances will be deeply missed and forever remembered by everyone who was blessed to know her.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them" (John 4:16). May her memory be eternal.
The Greek Orthodox Trisagion service will be held at Saint Sophia Cathedral on Friday October 20, 2017 at 7:00PM. Funeral services also will be held at Saint Sophia Cathedral Saturday October 21, 2017 at 10:30AM. Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006
Donations may be made in memory of Frances to any of the following:
The Saint Sophia Philoptochos Society or Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles