Tassia Kiousis

Tassia Kiousis, 81, passed away on May 15 at 3 a.m. with her family by her side at Shands Hospital. A resident of Gainesville since 2011, she moved with her husband Gust Kiousis from Modesto, Calif., to be near family in her final years. She is survived by her two children, Spiro and Konstantina, four grandchildren, Stassi, Konstantine, Chryssanthe, and Alexandra, son- and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Jennifer, and her husband, Gust. Born in Aetos, in the Peloponnese region of Greece, Tassia completed her high school degree in 1948 (the only member of her family to do so at the time) and survived extreme hardships during her youth, including severe poverty and having her village burnt down by Nazis during World War II. In 1963, she immigrated to Los Angeles, Calif. to pursue the American dream. In 1964, she married Gust Kiousis and in 1965 they purchased a restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., that they owned until 1978. At that time, they moved to Modesto, Calif., where they opened another small business, raised their children, and ultimately became rental property owners that they retained until the time of her death. More than anything, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Known for her business acumen, she was involved heavily in her churches of The Annunciation in Modesto and St. Elizabeth in Gainesville. She enjoyed cooking and chatting with friends in person or over the phone. She was a loving mother who emphasized the importance of education to her children and will be sorely missed. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 10:00AM at St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church, 5129 NW 53rd Ave. with Fr. Nikitas Theodosion officiating. Interment will follow in Countryside Cemetery, 10926 NW 39th Ave. A Trisagion Service will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 7:00PM at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTRAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a scholarship fund to be established in her name at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 313 Tokay Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350 or make a donation to the consecration of Saint Elizabeth Greek Orthodox Church in Gainesville.

Tassia Kiousis

January 6, 1933 - May 15, 2014