Stavroula "Stella" Angelopoulos, from Downey, California, passed away on March 16, 2023 at the age of
88.

Stella was born in Kapsia, Greece, to Georgia and Kostandinos Frousiakis. The 5th born, and eldest daughter, of 7 siblings, Stella grew up in a two-bedroom home. She was only allowed to attend school for a few years and needed to work in the potato fields so that they could survive the difficult war years of the 1930s and 1940s. She loved her family and siblings very much, as they all sacrificed for each other in those difficult early years of war and hunger.

In 1955, she and her family moved to America and lived in Brooklyn, New York. Working as a seamstress alongside her sister Penny in New York City was particularly challenging, as they had to travel by train, and negotiate their way through such a big city, not knowing the language or the lay of the land. She often spoke of how scared she was to be in a foreign place, so different from the small village she grew up in. In 1956 her family decided to move west, where she met her brother George's good friend, Jim Angelopoulos. They were soon married and lived a blessed life. Together they could conquer the world and deeply adored each other. Grabbing hold of the American dream, they were an unstoppable team in every aspect of life. They pioneered the Greek-American fast food restaurant business in the 1958, opening their first Jim's Burgers with a prayer and a dream. As a team, they brought their family and many friends into the fold, opening 25 Jim's Burgers and sharing their dream with those whom they loved.

She was blessed to have shared her life with her large family and she was fortunate to have many wonderful friends, koumbari and godchildren. Stella was a devoted and loving spouse, mother, sister and friend. She was a warrior, spirited, energetic and unstoppable in so many ways. She was the matriarch of a family that adored and doted over her. Raising four children was her life's most precious accomplishment. She was devoted to her faith and was proud to be a part of one of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church's founding families. After losing her beloved Jimmy in 2000, Stella was lost, having to endure life without the man that worshiped the ground she walked on. Being the strong woman that she was, she persevered, and was blessed by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that made her life have meaning and happiness. She will always be remembered with a warm smile, twinkle in her eyes, kindness and love for those who crossed her path.

She is survived by her two siblings Penelope Anagnos and Angelo Frousiakis, four children Nick, Gus, Georgia and Tina, eleven grandchildren James, Stefani, Courtney, Kristen, Demetri, Voula, Nicholas, Dino, Geena, George and Demetri and eight great grandchildren Dina, Tenley, Briel, Naya, Kosta, Yianni, Eliana and Paisley.

Trisigion will be at 7pm on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, California 90241. The funeral service will be at 10:30am on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, 405 North Dale Street, Anaheim, California 92801, followed by a Makaria luncheon, and then a procession to Rose Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, California 90241. stgeorgedowney.org

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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