Obituary of Myrtia Ballas Chelemedos

Funeral services will be held this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for Myrtia Ballas Chelemedos. Myrtia passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Ben Lomond on Nov. 3rd. She was 89 years old. Myrtia was born to Panagiote and Evanthia Ballas on Cephalonia, Greece in the village of Argenia. She lived in Greece during World War II under enemy occupiers; she survived the Greek Civil War, immigrating to the United States in 1951, becoming the most patriotic American citizen you've ever met. Myrtia and her husband George raised three children. She owned and operated three Rest Homes, as well as other rental property for over 40 years. She loved gardening and cooking, her family remembers her as the "greatest cook who ever lived". Myrtia was a founding member of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. For 25 years she and her son, Peter ran the coffee booth at the annual Greek Festival. She was also a member of the Cephalonian Society of California and St. Catherine's Philoptochus Society. Myrtia is survived by her daughter, Mimi Esty; and sons, George Chelemedos and Peter Chelemedos, three grandchildren; Brandy Faye Squibel, Anthony Chelemedos, and Rachel Knopf. She is also survived by her brother Antonio Ballas, great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband George Chelemedos who passed away in 2000. Funeral Services for Mrs. Chelemedos will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8th, 11:00 am at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 223 Church St., Santa Cruz. Visitation and Trisagion services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7th 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Flowers are welcome or if you would prefer donations in Myrtia's memory may be made to Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.