Born in 1919 in Dawson, New Mexico, a Fresno resident since 1935, Sylvia Mehas, Fresno County's Mother of the Year roots began in a small village in Greece. From this land of rock, sky, and sea, her people came, poor in the monetary sense, but rich and proud in culture.
The Greek immigrants, contrary to their ancestors of the "golden age" were, for the most part, uneducated peasants; but peasants filled with an instinctive love of the freedom to be had in a democracy. In a new world of strange languages and customs they used the only assets they had - their willingness to work with their hands and their backs.
In the soil of Nebraska, Sylvia toiled in the sugar beet fields. On a rainy day on the farm, as a young girl, Sylvia would dream of far away places, fancy clothes and meeting interesting and educated people. Little did she realize that somewhere over the rainbow many of her wishes would come true.
Sylvia was married to George Mehas, AHEPAN and Past President of the St. George community, for over 53 years before he passed away in 1987. Sylvia was an active supporting member of the St. George parish for over 60 years. In 1936, she was a founding member of the church choir and continued singing in it for 25 years. She taught Sunday school for 14 years and served on the parish council for five years as Treasurer and Vice President. She was Co-Chair of the Annual Grecian Food Festival, Chair of the Greek Community Booth for Passport Fresno and Downtown Fresno Centennial, and a member of the Daughters of Penelope for which she served as President two times and District Lt. Governor.
From our mother's first house to the home she lived in for nearly 64 years, she raised her children, entertained family and friends, laughed and cried, argued, cursed, and prayed within these walls. Many of us can recall significant events in our lives occurring at 721 E. Home Ave... be it baptisms, graduations, engagements, weddings, holidays, parties, birthdays, or a place of comfort where we gathered after a death in the family.
Another home to many of us was the Fresno Malt Shop and the Athenian Restaurant. They were more than just a place to eat. They were social institutions. They provided an income and an education for many members of the family. They taught us the dignity of work and how to meet the general public and enjoy people. Our mother and father put a lot of sweat and tears into the Malt Shop and the Athenian and were successful in downtown Fresno when many businesses moved out or went out of business. Because of her faith in God and the church, she survived and overcame many hurdles in business and in her personal life. The Greek Orthodox faith has always been at the center of our mother's life. Sylvia personified community involvement having served on numerous boards and commissions: Fresno Grand Jury, Fresno County Solid Waste Committee, Fresno City Urban Design Task Force, Fresno City Citizen's Commission, Fresno/Madera Area Agency on Aging, Status of Women's Commission, Fresno County Reorganization Committee, Fresno County/City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and Local Government Committee, International Institute, PTA - Webster, Heaton Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High, and Fresno High Parent Clubs, Past President of Federation of Republican Women, Elected member of Republican Central Committee, 50 years as a business woman, restaurant proprietor in downtown Fresno, served on the Downtown Association Board, and member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Victoria Gundunas, and her husband, George Mehas. She is survived by her daughter, Tulla Chrisman and her husband Jim; son, Peter Mehas and his wife Demi;daughter, Georgia Golling and her husband Robert; sister, Irene Papadakis; sister; Caroline Liviakis; brother, Louis Gundunas and his wife Peggy; and brother, Gus Gundunas and his wife Kathy.
She has nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Northpointe Healthcare Center for their love, respect and professional care they gave our mother the past three years.
There will be a public Memorial Service at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. and private burial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all remembrances should be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Published in the Fresno Bee on March 12, 2013
The Greek immigrants, contrary to their ancestors of the "golden age" were, for the most part, uneducated peasants; but peasants filled with an instinctive love of the freedom to be had in a democracy. In a new world of strange languages and customs they used the only assets they had - their willingness to work with their hands and their backs.
In the soil of Nebraska, Sylvia toiled in the sugar beet fields. On a rainy day on the farm, as a young girl, Sylvia would dream of far away places, fancy clothes and meeting interesting and educated people. Little did she realize that somewhere over the rainbow many of her wishes would come true.
Sylvia was married to George Mehas, AHEPAN and Past President of the St. George community, for over 53 years before he passed away in 1987. Sylvia was an active supporting member of the St. George parish for over 60 years. In 1936, she was a founding member of the church choir and continued singing in it for 25 years. She taught Sunday school for 14 years and served on the parish council for five years as Treasurer and Vice President. She was Co-Chair of the Annual Grecian Food Festival, Chair of the Greek Community Booth for Passport Fresno and Downtown Fresno Centennial, and a member of the Daughters of Penelope for which she served as President two times and District Lt. Governor.
From our mother's first house to the home she lived in for nearly 64 years, she raised her children, entertained family and friends, laughed and cried, argued, cursed, and prayed within these walls. Many of us can recall significant events in our lives occurring at 721 E. Home Ave... be it baptisms, graduations, engagements, weddings, holidays, parties, birthdays, or a place of comfort where we gathered after a death in the family.
Another home to many of us was the Fresno Malt Shop and the Athenian Restaurant. They were more than just a place to eat. They were social institutions. They provided an income and an education for many members of the family. They taught us the dignity of work and how to meet the general public and enjoy people. Our mother and father put a lot of sweat and tears into the Malt Shop and the Athenian and were successful in downtown Fresno when many businesses moved out or went out of business. Because of her faith in God and the church, she survived and overcame many hurdles in business and in her personal life. The Greek Orthodox faith has always been at the center of our mother's life. Sylvia personified community involvement having served on numerous boards and commissions: Fresno Grand Jury, Fresno County Solid Waste Committee, Fresno City Urban Design Task Force, Fresno City Citizen's Commission, Fresno/Madera Area Agency on Aging, Status of Women's Commission, Fresno County Reorganization Committee, Fresno County/City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and Local Government Committee, International Institute, PTA - Webster, Heaton Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High, and Fresno High Parent Clubs, Past President of Federation of Republican Women, Elected member of Republican Central Committee, 50 years as a business woman, restaurant proprietor in downtown Fresno, served on the Downtown Association Board, and member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Victoria Gundunas, and her husband, George Mehas. She is survived by her daughter, Tulla Chrisman and her husband Jim; son, Peter Mehas and his wife Demi;daughter, Georgia Golling and her husband Robert; sister, Irene Papadakis; sister; Caroline Liviakis; brother, Louis Gundunas and his wife Peggy; and brother, Gus Gundunas and his wife Kathy.
She has nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Northpointe Healthcare Center for their love, respect and professional care they gave our mother the past three years.
There will be a public Memorial Service at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. and private burial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all remembrances should be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Published in the Fresno Bee on March 12, 2013
Born in 1919 in Dawson, New Mexico, a Fresno resident since 1935, Sylvia Mehas, Fresno County's Mother of the Year roots began in a small village in Greece. From this land of rock, sky, and sea, her people came, poor in the monetary sense, but rich and proud in culture.
The Greek immigrants, contrary to their ancestors of the "golden age" were, for the most part, uneducated peasants; but peasants filled with an instinctive love of the freedom to be had in a democracy. In a new world of strange languages and customs they used the only assets they had - their willingness to work with their hands and their backs.
In the soil of Nebraska, Sylvia toiled in the sugar beet fields. On a rainy day on the farm, as a young girl, Sylvia would dream of far away places, fancy clothes and meeting interesting and educated people. Little did she realize that somewhere over the rainbow many of her wishes would come true.
Sylvia was married to George Mehas, AHEPAN and Past President of the St. George community, for over 53 years before he passed away in 1987. Sylvia was an active supporting member of the St. George parish for over 60 years. In 1936, she was a founding member of the church choir and continued singing in it for 25 years. She taught Sunday school for 14 years and served on the parish council for five years as Treasurer and Vice President. She was Co-Chair of the Annual Grecian Food Festival, Chair of the Greek Community Booth for Passport Fresno and Downtown Fresno Centennial, and a member of the Daughters of Penelope for which she served as President two times and District Lt. Governor.
From our mother's first house to the home she lived in for nearly 64 years, she raised her children, entertained family and friends, laughed and cried, argued, cursed, and prayed within these walls. Many of us can recall significant events in our lives occurring at 721 E. Home Ave... be it baptisms, graduations, engagements, weddings, holidays, parties, birthdays, or a place of comfort where we gathered after a death in the family.
Another home to many of us was the Fresno Malt Shop and the Athenian Restaurant. They were more than just a place to eat. They were social institutions. They provided an income and an education for many members of the family. They taught us the dignity of work and how to meet the general public and enjoy people. Our mother and father put a lot of sweat and tears into the Malt Shop and the Athenian and were successful in downtown Fresno when many businesses moved out or went out of business. Because of her faith in God and the church, she survived and overcame many hurdles in business and in her personal life. The Greek Orthodox faith has always been at the center of our mother's life. Sylvia personified community involvement having served on numerous boards and commissions: Fresno Grand Jury, Fresno County Solid Waste Committee, Fresno City Urban Design Task Force, Fresno City Citizen's Commission, Fresno/Madera Area Agency on Aging, Status of Women's Commission, Fresno County Reorganization Committee, Fresno County/City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and Local Government Committee, International Institute, PTA - Webster, Heaton Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High, and Fresno High Parent Clubs, Past President of Federation of Republican Women, Elected member of Republican Central Committee, 50 years as a business woman, restaurant proprietor in downtown Fresno, served on the Downtown Association Board, and member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Victoria Gundunas, and her husband, George Mehas. She is survived by her daughter, Tulla Chrisman and her husband Jim; son, Peter Mehas and his wife Demi;daughter, Georgia Golling and her husband Robert; sister, Irene Papadakis; sister; Caroline Liviakis; brother, Louis Gundunas and his wife Peggy; and brother, Gus Gundunas and his wife Kathy.
She has nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Northpointe Healthcare Center for their love, respect and professional care they gave our mother the past three years.
There will be a public Memorial Service at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. and private burial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all remembrances should be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Published in the Fresno Bee on March 12, 2013
The Greek immigrants, contrary to their ancestors of the "golden age" were, for the most part, uneducated peasants; but peasants filled with an instinctive love of the freedom to be had in a democracy. In a new world of strange languages and customs they used the only assets they had - their willingness to work with their hands and their backs.
In the soil of Nebraska, Sylvia toiled in the sugar beet fields. On a rainy day on the farm, as a young girl, Sylvia would dream of far away places, fancy clothes and meeting interesting and educated people. Little did she realize that somewhere over the rainbow many of her wishes would come true.
Sylvia was married to George Mehas, AHEPAN and Past President of the St. George community, for over 53 years before he passed away in 1987. Sylvia was an active supporting member of the St. George parish for over 60 years. In 1936, she was a founding member of the church choir and continued singing in it for 25 years. She taught Sunday school for 14 years and served on the parish council for five years as Treasurer and Vice President. She was Co-Chair of the Annual Grecian Food Festival, Chair of the Greek Community Booth for Passport Fresno and Downtown Fresno Centennial, and a member of the Daughters of Penelope for which she served as President two times and District Lt. Governor.
From our mother's first house to the home she lived in for nearly 64 years, she raised her children, entertained family and friends, laughed and cried, argued, cursed, and prayed within these walls. Many of us can recall significant events in our lives occurring at 721 E. Home Ave... be it baptisms, graduations, engagements, weddings, holidays, parties, birthdays, or a place of comfort where we gathered after a death in the family.
Another home to many of us was the Fresno Malt Shop and the Athenian Restaurant. They were more than just a place to eat. They were social institutions. They provided an income and an education for many members of the family. They taught us the dignity of work and how to meet the general public and enjoy people. Our mother and father put a lot of sweat and tears into the Malt Shop and the Athenian and were successful in downtown Fresno when many businesses moved out or went out of business. Because of her faith in God and the church, she survived and overcame many hurdles in business and in her personal life. The Greek Orthodox faith has always been at the center of our mother's life. Sylvia personified community involvement having served on numerous boards and commissions: Fresno Grand Jury, Fresno County Solid Waste Committee, Fresno City Urban Design Task Force, Fresno City Citizen's Commission, Fresno/Madera Area Agency on Aging, Status of Women's Commission, Fresno County Reorganization Committee, Fresno County/City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and Local Government Committee, International Institute, PTA - Webster, Heaton Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High, and Fresno High Parent Clubs, Past President of Federation of Republican Women, Elected member of Republican Central Committee, 50 years as a business woman, restaurant proprietor in downtown Fresno, served on the Downtown Association Board, and member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Victoria Gundunas, and her husband, George Mehas. She is survived by her daughter, Tulla Chrisman and her husband Jim; son, Peter Mehas and his wife Demi;daughter, Georgia Golling and her husband Robert; sister, Irene Papadakis; sister; Caroline Liviakis; brother, Louis Gundunas and his wife Peggy; and brother, Gus Gundunas and his wife Kathy.
She has nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Northpointe Healthcare Center for their love, respect and professional care they gave our mother the past three years.
There will be a public Memorial Service at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. and private burial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all remembrances should be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Published in the Fresno Bee on March 12, 2013
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