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Stella Panagiotis
Exacoustos
November 23, 1936 – July 12, 2021
Our beloved Stella Panagiotis Exacoustos (née Kambouris) peacefully fell asleep and joined the Lord on Monday, July 12, 2021. Stella is survived by her siblings, Vasiliki (Coula) Raftopoulos, Anastasia (Natasa) Fields, and Dimitrios Kambouris, her daughters, Eleni Karapoulios, Elli Thermos, and Maria Georgakopoulos, her son-in-laws Angelo Karapoulios, Jerry Thermos, and Michael Georgakopoulos, and her six grandchildren, Tia Karapoulios (27), Gregory Karapoulios (26), Stella Thermos (23), Elizabeth Thermos (20), Konstantinos Georgakopoulos (17), and Vasiliki Georgakopoulos (15). Stella was loved by all with a zest for life and an infectious, unforgettable smile that would light up the room. We take comfort in knowing she is at peace has joined her beloved husband and is eternally in God's care.
Born in Athens, Greece on November 23, 1936, Stella was the oldest child of Theodore and Elli Kambouris. After the passing of her Father, she attended night school and worked numerous jobs in Athens to support her Mother and three younger siblings. When out with friends in Kalithea, Greece, she met the love of her life, Panagiotis Exacoustos, Her first child and only son survived a few months and was eventually blessed by the birth of their beautiful three daughters Eleni, Elli, and Maria. She was thrilled to become a Grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren that she adored and cherished; Tia, Gregory, Stella, Elizabeth, Konstantinos, and Vasiliki.
Once married, Stella and Panagiotis spent several years traveling the world with his career as a ship Captain. They spent numerous years in India traveling throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Eventually in 1972 her husband's career brought them to Long Beach as Mr. Parsons, founder of Parsons Engineering based in Pasadena, was in need of a Captain for his yacht, The Pegasus. Once in Long Beach, Stella's passion for business led her to embark into several businesses including a clothing store, a deli/sandwich shop, numerous real estate transactions, and ultimately purchased Jolly Boy Burgers in Bell Gardens, CA. With her husband's recent retirement from the shipping industry, together they worked the family business until they retired in 1997.
Once Stella retired from the restaurant, she spent her days raising her beautiful grandchildren as she insisted her daughters needed to pursue their careers. She strongly believed in giving her daughters and grandchildren a good education and that women needed to work and maintain independence. She was extremely proud of the 5 degrees held by her daughters and the 4 degrees and counting earned by her grandkids. As a result of her strong belief that women should work and her admiration of her daughters careers, she devoted her time in helping with all the grandkids needs, assisting with her daughters households and any other support they needed. As a devoted grandmother, she would pick up the grandkids from school, assist with homework, attend school functions and fieldtrips, and was well known amongst all the grandkids friends as "Yiayia." She would take the time to make them their favorite foods, drive them to activities and practices and often had a house full of their friends. She adored having a full house and having the grandkids over on a daily basis.
She loved living on the corner of Main Way Drive in Rossmoor where she resided until her passing. She adored her good friends, neighbors, church and helping anyone that needed a hand. She was a phenomenal cook and enjoyed entertaining by hosting parties but also impromptu get together's. Her home was always open and there wasn't a single day when friends and family wouldn't stop by. She always had a home cooked meal or was happy to whip up something quick. The ladies at her local grocery stores, Ralphs and Sprouts, all knew her and she would invite them for Greek coffee. She loved working for her beloved church, Panagia, and especially working in the dining room during the festival. Beside her kids and grandkids her favorite visits of all were from her brother, Dimitri. She loved having Dimitri, her sister in law, Maria, and, of course, anytime her nephew, Theodore, or niece, Elli, and their families were in town. Until the very end, she would beam with joy when the came to visit.
Trisagion and funeral services will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA. Trisagion service will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The funeral service will be at 12:00pm noon on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, with interment at Westminster Memorial Park & Mortuary at 2pm, followed by a traditional Makaria luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Stella's memory to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.
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Assumption Church - Long Beach, CA
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Assumption Church - Long Beach, CA
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