Mrs. Thalia Coroneus was the youngest child of six (Niko, Anthi, Dimitri, Giorgo, Panagioti and Thalia) born to John and Anna Dimos in Kalamata, Greece. She grew up in her home village of Kalami, surviving World War 2, the Greek revolution and acting as a second mother to her nieces Georgia, Eleni, Eleni, Anna and nephew John.

In 1950, Thalia's Aunt Olympia visited Greece where she met Thalia and another niece, Voula. The two young women expressed their desire to immigrate to America. In 1953, Olympia and her husband Andrew Sofos talked to the young women and began the process of adopting them to bring them to their home in San Mateo, California. Red tape prevented the adoption from moving forward until, in 1958, Mr. Sofos spoke with Harbor Superintendent Walter R. Kruckman. Mr Kruckman enlisted the aid of then U.S. Senator Clair Engle and Congressman Evelle Younger. Evelle Younger introduced a special adoption bill for the two young women that was ultimately signed by President Eisenhower! Thalia and Voula arrived in San Francisco on January 16 of 1960 and began their lives in America.

In 1961, Thalia's life took another key turn. She attended the wedding of Bill and Christina Maidonis. There, she met George Coroneus. He had grown up in Greece and was working with his sister Thelma and her husband Jimmy Alexander at the Brite Spot Café in Echo Park at the time of the wedding. Thalia and George were married by Rev. Fr. Homer Demopulos at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles on October 22, 1961.

In 1964, Thalia and George moved to Glendale, California and she gave birth to their first son, Nicholas – in an ambulance no less. In 1966, Thalia gave birth to their second son, John. Through the next several years, the couple raised their children and Thalia again acted as a second mother, this time to their sons' various friends and as the primary caretaker of the various cats, parakeets and dogs in the family's life. The couple enjoyed many parties and family gatherings at their home, especially at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Pascha and on the Fourth of July (typically for barbeque). Thalia built a strong reputation of having the best Koulouria and Baklava around, as well as being an overall fantastic cook. At the same time, she drove her children to Greek lessons, swimming lessons, band and choir practice, along with other events and activities; she often acted as chauffeur to the many, omnipresent friends of the boys.

Once the boys were old enough, like a good Greek wife, Thalia went to work part time at the restaurant. At the Brite Spot, her charm and love of people made those days rewarding for her and enjoyable for the other employees and regular customers. There were many tears when George and Thalia sold the restaurant in 1985. Nevertheless, the couple continued to enjoy socializing with others at the local Moose lodge, holding family gatherings at their house and travel to see relatives around the world, all while watching their boys grow to adulthood. Thalia, of course, continued to meet and "adopt" more of the friends the boys brought to the house. She further enjoyed mothering the children of her nieces and nephew both here in America and in Greece, as well as their children, whose visits she especially treasured.

In 1996, George passed on, leaving Thalia a widow. She continued to enjoy visits from her family and friends and maintained her practice of excellent cooking. In 2011, Thalia gained the daughter she never had when her son John married Xanthipe Jordanides. Thalia loved her new daughter and made quick friends with Xanthipe's parents Tim and Eleftheria.

On March 1, 2019 at 6:44 pm, our beloved Thalia passed on very peacefully in the home of her son John and her daughter-in-law Xanthipe, with the two of them at her side.

Thalia is survived by her brother Panagioti, her sons Nick and John (Xanthipe), niece Helen (Jim) Damilatis, and many other cousins and friends.

Funeral service will take place at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena at 11:00 am on March 9, 2019 followed by a makaria at the church hall, followed by the interment at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Thalia Coroneus Memorial Fund, for the children at the Orthodox Christian Saint Innocent Orphanage: weblink.donorperfect.com/legacy-fund

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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