Mersina K. Biddle, 94, of San Clemente, California formerly of San Jose, California and Norwich, Connecticut, fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Mersina (Merci) was born December 6, 1926 in Norwich, Connecticut. She was predeceased by her husband, Crayton Travis, her father, Efstratios, her mother, Irini Yiamojianis, her brother Jim, sisters, Sophia and Mary, and her nephew/godson Dean.

Merci spent her childhood in Norwich taking care of her ailing mother with her siblings, Sophia, Jim, and Mary. Merci would always be the one dabbling in the kitchen, making family meals. This is where Merci developed her love for delicious cooking. We will always remember her infamous koulourakia, kourembethes, and tsoureki!

Merci moved to California in 1957 to be with her sister Sophia Stamos and her family. It was there where she met her husband Travis Biddle. He was in the Air Force and stationed at March Air Force Base. They were married May 18th, 1958 in San Bernardino, California. They had over 40 wonderful years together, until his death on April 2nd, 2000.

Travis' various military assignments took them to many countries abroad as well as many states. Some of her homes included the Philippines, Hawaii, Nebraska and Taiwan, where she worked for the state department. This is where she also added an international flare to her delicious cooking! Once Travis retired from the Air Force, they returned to the United States and made their home in San Jose, California, where she volunteered and worked at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

After Travis' retirement from Lockheed, they moved to San Clemente to be closer to her sister, Sophia, and brother-in-law, Thomas Stamos. Merci was a member of Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine and a member of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano. Merci was a lifelong member of the Ladies Philoptochos and the Ladies Auxilary, where she assisted in their mission to provide aide to the poor.

Merci had a deep love of family and leaves behind, her brother-in-law, John Klemes of Raleigh, North Carolina, a sister-in-law, Cammie Jenkins of Indiana, and nephews and nieces, Christopher and Suzanne Stamos of Dana Point, California, Charles and Florence Stamos of Folsom, California, James and Teresa Klemes of Raleigh, North Carolina, Lisa Klemes of Raleigh, North Carolina, Irene Kostelos of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Al and Evangelyn Peterson of Trumbull, Connecticut, and Charles Kostelos of Norwich, Connecticut. In addition, she leaves loving great nieces and nephews. Merci was a social and amiable person and left a wonderful group of close friends.

The funeral service will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 27129 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.

Merci will be buried with her loving husband, Travis, in a private burial at 2:00pm on Monday, August 16, 2021 at Riverside National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church
27129 Calle Arroyo
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Susan G. Komen For The Cure
13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889 Dallas, TX 75380
Memo: In Memory of Mersina K. Biddle

Merci's love and dedication to her family were inspirational, only surpassed by her love of the Greek Orthodox Church. Her warmth and dedication will be missed by all that knew her.
While Merci leaves her life among us, we know she will always continue to be part of our lives. May Her Memory Be Eternal.

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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