Lillian Nicholas Dovalis died at the age of 95 on the 14th day of November 2017, at her family home where she and her husband, Nicholas Dovalis, raised their five daughters.

Lillian was born in 1922 in Lynn, Massachusetts to parents Nicholas and Pinio Lembesis. When Lillian was 8 years old, the Lembesis family relocated to New York City. Two years after her mother's death, the family moved to California to join Lillian's eldest brother, Chris. She was twenty-two years old.  As an ambitious young woman of 23, Lillian earned her real estate broker's license and endeavored on a career acquiring and developing real estate.

Lillian met her husband, Nicholas, at the age of 24 in choir at the Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach, California. They married and were happily wed for 64 years.  Her beloved husband died in 2010 at the age of 89. Nicholas and Lillian were two of the contributing founders of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Orange County.  Throughout their lives, Nicholas and Lillian held leadership positions in charitable organizations within their Greek community, and Lillian held several leadership positions in the Philoptochos.

Lillian, with a spirit that would light up a room, was loved by everyone that met her. Devoted to her family and friends, Lillian vowed no one would ever leave her home hungry. Simply, she loved life. Because of her incredible attitude, fortune followed her all the way to the end of her life. She died as she lived: gracefully. She exemplified a soul that crafted its own destiny.

Lillian is survived by her four daughters and their families. Penny and Harry Benetatos, Crystal and Steve Halbert, Joanna and George Rosch, and Nikki and Bob Burns. Her daughter Marina and Marina's husband, Speros Pergakes, have deceased. Sara and Fernando Hernandez and Sara's sister, Leslie Ehrhardt, were not only Lillian's caretakers, but were also her closest companions. Lillian regarded Sara and Fernando's children, Genesee and Fernando Jr., as her own grandchildren. She is also survived by her two younger siblings, Jim Lembesis and Betty Doss who she mothered after their mother's tragic bus accident. Lillian's legacy also includes 13 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and another great grandchild on the way! Lillian was the consummate mother, grandmother (Yiayia), and great-grandmother (Pro-Yiayia).

The Trisagion service will be held on the evening of Friday the 17th of November at 7pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 18th, 2017 at 10am. Both services will be held at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to the Restoration Project at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, 405 N. Dale Avenue, Anaheim, California 92801. Chapman Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements.

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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