Chrisanthie Tremulis

1917 - 2006

Chrisanthie Tremulis, 89, of Ventura passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006, at the Venturan Convalescent Center after a brave fight with cancer.

Chrisanthie was born May 12, 1917, in Columbus, Neb., where her father owned and operated a candy store. Her parents were John Peter Politis and Christina Kazakes. She was the second youngest of five children. When she was 2 years old, her family moved to Omaha, Neb., where her father opened a produce and grocery store. Her father died when she was 7 years old. Her mother later remarried and the family moved to Chicago, Ill.

When the Depression hit, she and her younger brother were taken out school, and Chrisanthie went to work at a Greek restaurant. She started as a cashier and finally worked in the restaurant office.

After a five-year courtship, she married Alex Tremulis in November 1942 in Chicago.

Chrisanthie was Alex's life partner and soul mate. She devoted her life to Alex. Alex always acknowledged that "Chrissie" deserved major credit for his success in life.

Her husband, without any formal training in art or engineering, landed a job on the design team for the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Co. in 1933. He became chief stylist for that company in 1936 at the age of 22 and remained in that role until the company failed in 1937.

He was drafted into the Army in June 1941, 18 months prior to their marriage. After World War II, Preston Tucker hired him to design the 1948 Tucker Torpedo. The radical design was considered by most to be as beautiful as it was innovative and is unquestionably his masterpiece.

She is survived by her nieces, Christina P. Zoll of Ventura and Maria Magos of Alabama; nephews, John P. Politis of Ventura and Peter Politis of Alabama; and cousins Ernie Melonas of Ventura and Chrisanthie Stamatis of Los Angeles as well as a host of other cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex, in 1991; her father in 1925; her mother in 1984; oldest brother, Pete Politis, in 1985; sister, Marjorie Politis in 1970; and brothers Zeny Politis in 1990 and George Politis in 1995.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, with Trisagion prayers to begin at 7 p.m., at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Skyway Drive, Camarillo, with the Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou officiating. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

The Makaria (meal of blessedness) reception will take place in the St. Demetrios Church hall immediately after interment. All are welcome to attend.

Chrisanthie's family would like to extend a warm thank you to the staff at Livingston Memorial Visitation Nurse Association hospice and to The Venturan care center for the kind, compassionate and diligent care provided.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.