Stella (Marangakis) Ristas, Born 27 December 1922, deceased --- March 30, 2017

Beloved wife of Cristo for 61 years. Pre-deceased by her parents Nicholas and Maria Marangakis, sister Athena Andrews, brother-in-law John Andrews. Survived by her nephews George and Nicholas Andrews. Also survived by her close and devoted extended family, including Penelope and Frank Burkard and Gail and Carl Ossipoff who have demonstrated devoted love and caring. These wonderful people helped provide Stella with a high quality of life during her final years.

As a young woman growing up in Detroit, Stella was very active in both the church and the Cretan Ladies Society. She worked at the family bar and restaurant, and when World War II broke out, she became a 'Rosie the Riveter' at the Willow Run Bomber Plant, welding B-24 bombers that helped win the war.
After the War, Stella toured Europe and Egypt- visiting relatives in Crete and seeing many of the great world capitals.

Stella met her future husband at a Cretan convention in Detroit. It was love at first sight. She and Cristo married in 1952, and after spending a few years in Detroit, they relocated to Miami, and in 1958 settled in La Habra, California.

Stella and Cristo were one of the principal founders of St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California. Stella was an active member of the church and the Ladies Philoptokos Society and in 2006 recipient of the Philoptokos Humanitarian award.

Stella was an accomplished baker, and her imaginative and elegant cakes brought smiles to the lucky recipients. Stella loved her family, her close friends, her extended family, becoming Aunt, Nona and Koumbara to many and a friend to all.

Her passing leaves a void to those who are left behind, but the memory of her infectious laugh and her sense of humor will always remain in our hearts.

Trisagion will be Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:00pm, Funeral Service will be Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00am, both held at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, 415 North Dale St., Anaheim, CA. Interment will Follow after the Makaria Luncheon at Fairhaven Cemetery. Email condolences to www.ChapmanFuneralDirectors.com. Chapman Funeral Homes toll free (855) 628-0447. Terry & Mary Harmon, Directors.