Our beloved mother and grandmother, Maria Lantzourakis, passed away late Sunday night, August 27, 2017. She was surrounded by her family and drifted into her eternal slumber, peacefully.
Maria was one of six children, of whom she was the last to pass. Born in the small village of Nithavri, Crete, she knew what it meant to work hard and live a humble life. When she met her husband John, god rest his soul, she went from a Manousakis, to a Lantzourakis. They had two children, Stella and Tom, and wanted to make the best life for them. With that dream in mind, Maria and her family moved to America with nothing, with the help of her sister Eva. She landed in New York, where she worked tirelessly. Shortly after, they moved to the town of Modesto, California, where Maria made life-long friends. She worked as a seamstress for many years, and always made sure to keep her house and her children in impeccable order.

Being that she was one of the most compassionate and selfless people any of us knew, Maria was always one to put others before herself. She was always revered because her positivity and love shined so brightly. Her personality was so uplifting, that people were drawn to her like a light. Anyone who met her was so enamored by her kindness and giving personality. That radiating positivity came from her great love of church and religion. A strong faith made her into the special woman that she was. Her heart was most full when she was surrounded by family and friends, but she also made it a point to show that same compassion toward strangers. She was the person who would wait by the door with some water and a pa??µada?? for the mailman, just because she didn't want him to be hungry. Her big heart is one of the things that made her so easy to love.

Maria has touched the hearts of so many people who will always remember her fondly. Her name will be carried on by her granddaughter, Maria Lantzourakis, and her memory will shine through her other granddaughter, Antigone Christoforakis. Those traditions of a strong faith and open heart, will be carried on by her family. She will be missed so dearly by all who have known her, and will always be kept close in our hearts. One thing is for certain, she was an angel sent to us by god, and she has returned peacefully to his side.

Trisagion will be Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 7:00pm, Funeral Service will be Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 10:00am, both held at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, 415 Dale Avenue, Anaheim, CA. Interment to follow at Memory Garden Memorial Park, Brea, CA. Contributions may be made to St. John Greek Orthodox Church, in honor and behalf of Maria Lantzourakis.
Email condolences to www.ChapmanFuneralDirectors.com. Chapman Funeral Homes, toll free (855) 628-0447. Terry & Mary Harmon, Directors.