Helen E. Vlachos, daughter of the late George and Olga Cecil, passed away in the Lord, September 10, 2015 in Glendale, CA.
Born in Jackson, MI on July 21, 1933 she attended Eastern High School in Detroit, Michigan and worked at the telephone company until her marriage to Efstratios Vlachos. Although she aspired to become a nurse, she began a family with Stratos in Pasadena, CA in the 1950's.
She was part owner and founder of Steve's Arco in Glendale, CA where she managed the books, her husband and the gas station while keeping house in Burbank, CA.
She is survived by four of five children and their spouses: Anthy and Paul Hellmers, Steve and Lynn Vlachos, Christina and Dean Peratsakis and Paul Vlachos. She is predeceased by her husband of fifty years and also by her son, George Vlachos. She is also survived by her brothers, Art Cecil of Detroit, and Dimitrios Cecil of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Her grandchildren ; Athena, Eleni, Niki, Jensen and Jamie.
Her interests included gardening, crocheting and sewing. She was an avid baker and a fabulous cook who could make anything taste good; even her husband's wild game hunted from the Mexican border to Utah.
She relished preparing Greek dishes and family dinners and holidays were always a feast for everyone.
She will be remembered as an awesome mother, a good friend, and as a woman who never ever gave up hope or faith in any situation that she encountered. Pragmatic. Introspective. Empathic and smart as a whip, she had a subtle way about her that endeared her to many.
Rest in peace dear sweet Helen. You deserve to be free like the birds you loved in your life. Until we meet again, we remain indebted to your sacrifice and the many lessons that taught us.
Trisagion Service will be Sunday, September 19, 2015 at 7:00pm. Funeral Service will be Monday, September 20, 2015 at 10:30am, both held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA. Interment will follow later that day at Lake Isabella Cemetery, wehere she will lie next to her beloved husband. Email Condolences to www.ChapmanFuneralDirectors.com. May her Memory Be Eternal.