Fanouria "Rita" Stathas' Obituary
Fanouria “Rita” Stathas, age 81, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 20, 2023 after a brief illness and with her family by her side.
She was born in Athens, Greece on January 13, 1942 and was the middle child of the late George and Argyro Filias. (We are not sure, but we have reason to believe that the term “middle child” was coined after her.) Rita’s family immigrated to Canada in October 1956 and she made dear lifelong friends in London, Ontario.
Rita went to teachers college at the University of Western Ontario, but her teaching career was short lived because she met the love of her life, Nicholas Stathas and moved to Muskegon, MI in 1966. She married him in April of 1966 in a Civil Ceremony in Muskegon. Papou didn’t recognize this as a binding marriage and they promptly came back to London Ontario so they could properly be married in a Greek Orthodox Church.
Rita has missed Nick deeply every day since his death on October 23, 2019.
Rita was a longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and her Greek culture and Orthodox faith were at the core of who she was. She had been active with Philoptochos, the annual Pilaf Dinner, taught Sunday School, and was Past President of the Daughters of Penelope.
Rita stay at home and raised her children in Roosevelt Park, until that fateful day when she mentioned that she wanted to get a job. Her husband was opposed to that idea, and possibly even told her that she “could not”. This prompted her to get in the car, drive to JC Penney’s and get immediately hired in the Fine Jewelry Department. Rita love that job! She went on to Baker College and became a medical transcriptionist. Rita eventually worked at the former Mercy Hospital and retired as the Director of Admitting.
Rita will be remembered for her huge personality and being the “life of the party”. She loved shopping and was an avid reader. Previously Rita took creative writing classes and journaled her whole life. The most important thing to her was her family and especially her grandchildren.
Rita will be lovingly missed by her children, Kellie (Frank) Peña, Andrea Dadd, George (Barbara) Stathas; six grandchildren, Gabriel and Nicholas Garvey, Daniel and Alexis Peña, Jacob and Samuel Stathas; sisters, Patricia (Mark) Mintsioulis and Penny Filias; nieces and nephews, Karen Mintsioulis, Michelle (Nick) Tsakoniatis, Peter (Maria) Mintsioulis and their children, Cassidy, Taylor, Kyra, Marcos and Maya. Along with many lifelong friends and Koumbari in Muskegon and London Ontario.
Rita was also preceded in death by her parents, George (1995) and Argyro (2000) Filias; and dear brothers, Father Nicholas Filias (2020) and Bobby Filias (2013).
A funeral service will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (185 E. Pontaluna Rd. Norton Shores, MI 49441) on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Fr. Joseph Gingrich presiding. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. The Trisagion Service will be prayed at 7:00 PM. Burial will take place in Mona View Cemetery. Memorial Contributions to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will be appreciated. Share memories with the family online at www.SytsemaFH.com.
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