VASILIKI AIKATERINES “BESSIE RENES” — Raised four children during the Depression and a founding member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Mrs. Renes, age 96, died Sunday, February 19, 2006, at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
She was born Vasiliki Papaconstantinou on March 12, 1909, in Greece, to Elias and Panagiota Papaconstantinou. She arrived in America at age 19.
She married Sam Efthiman, who died at a young age, leaving her with four children, ages seven and under, to raise. She later married Peter Renes (Aikaterines), who passed away in 1969.
Mrs. Renes had been a resident of Madison Heights, Michigan since 1978 and was formerly a resident of Southfield and Detroit.
She was a founding member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and was the last person out the door when the Detroit facility closed to relocate to Troy.
She was a very loving woman, and everyone who knew her loved her. She had great faith and was devout, reflective, witty—always ready with a comeback—sassy, creative, sharp, and alert. She was the matriarch of the family.
Mrs. Renes enjoyed playing cards, working word-find puzzles, crocheting, and knitting. She made more than 100 lap blankets for veterans.
Deceased spouses: the late Sam Efthiman (d. 1936) and the late Peter Renes (Aikaterines) (d. 1969).
Surviving daughters: Sylvia Finos (the late Andrew) and Constance Sourvelis Fowler (the late Ken).
Deceased daughter: the late Patricia O’Neill (the late Charles).
Surviving son: Arthur Mann (Marlene).
Grandchildren: 15.
Great-grandchildren: 28.
Great-great-grandchildren: 11.
Surviving godson: Nicholas Toyeas.
Surviving niece: Vera Kollinatis.
She is also survived by many other nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Wednesday, February 22, 2006, from 2:00–9:00 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads), with an Evening Trisagion Service at 7:30 PM.
Funeral Service: Thursday, February 23, 2006, at 11:00 AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 West Wattles Road, Troy, Michigan, with Reverend George Hatz officiating. Visitation at the church begins Thursday at 10:00 AM.
Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 West Wattles Road, Troy, MI 48098.
Funeral Home:
A. J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home
2600 Crooks Road (between Maple & Big Beaver)
Troy, Michigan