Nafsika Zamboukos

1918 - 2017

Nafsika Vasiliki Zamboukos

August 13, 1918 - April 28, 2017

Nafsika Vasiliki Zamboukos (nee Katsoulos) passed away peacefully at home in San Francisco on April 28, 2017 at the age of 98. Nafsika was born on August 13, 1918 in Peleta, Arcadia, Greece to Rev. Fr. Sotirios and Presvytera Maria Katsoulos. Her devoted husband of 42 years, James Neal Zamboukos, predeceased her in 1995. Nafsika is survived by her loving daughters, Mary James Zamboukos and Cynthia Soteria Zamboukos, and her dear sisters-in-law, Penelope Katsoulos and, Metaxia, Froso, and Marigoula Zoumboukos. She was the cherished sister of the late Dimitrios (Metaxia), Adamantia, and Nikolaos Katsoulos; treasured daughter-in-law of the late Nearhos and Maria Zoumboukos; and sister-in-law of the late Peter (Doris), Constantine, Katerina, George, John (Katina), Michael, Nikolaos, and Theodore Zoumboukos, and Georgia (Vasilios) Tsitsilonis. She was the adored great "Yiayia" Nafsika of Dimitris Makris; Adamantia and Sophia McGlenon; Gregory and Anastasios Pantazis; George, Julia, and Paul Pappas; Lorenzo Petrakis; Tyler, Francesca, and Charlotte Pool; and Sophia and Alexandra Zaboukos. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins in Australia, Greece, and the United States. Nafsika spent her childhood years in Poulithra and Peleta. Her family moved to Leonidion when her father became the parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation. Although she wanted to become a teacher like her father, who was a teacher before becoming a priest, Nafsika had to leave school during the 8th grade and care for her parents and younger siblings when her mother became gravely ill. As a member of the Greatest Generation she survived the horrors of the Nazi occupation of her homeland during World War II and the ensuing Greek Civil War. After marrying James Neal Zamboukos on December 12, 1953 in Pireaus, Greece, Nafsika immigrated to America in 1956 with her husband and infant daughter, Mary. The family sailed across the Atlantic aboard the TSS Olympia and, as with many European immigrants, was welcomed by the Statue of Liberty in New York City. They continued their journey across the continental United States by train and settled in San Francisco where James was the proprietor of the Famous Coffee Shop. Shortly after immigrating to America, their second daughter, Cynthia, was born in San Francisco in 1957. Nafsika arrived a stranger in a strange land, and although she had no family of her own in the United States, she was embraced and welcomed by her husband's very large and loving family. When her oldest daughter Mary started kindergarten, Nafsika attended Marina Adult School to learn English, taking 3-year-old daughter Cynthia with her. Her teachers were so kind and understanding. Cynthia would color quietly sitting in the back of the classroom. Nafsika was a wonderful homemaker who loved to embroider, sew, knit, crochet, do needlepoint, and garden. She was an avid reader, and loved history and all things royal. Nafsika was a loving and nurturing mother who truly enjoyed spending time with children and loved to gather her daughters and neighborhood children for outings to Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, the zoo, and for educational excursions to museums and libraries. While taking her daughters to Greek School, she formed lifelong friendships with her fellow mothers. She was a wonderful cook and baker and her homemade bread, quince spoon fruit, candied grapefruit peel, and elaborate Jell-O mold salads were much in demand at gatherings of family and friends. She was a devoted caregiver to her parents, husband, siblings, nieces, and nephews and entertained friends and family from all over the world with delectable food and fare. Hailing from the province of Arcadia in Greece she was a member and past secretary of the United Arcadians of San Francisco, Chapter No. 35, and helped countless immigrants from Greece adjust to their new home and culture in the United States. In addition to her love of children, Nafsika had a fondness for all animals with a special love for goats and cats. She was predeceased by her feline companions, Fifika, Frinios, Gaston Lachaille, Francois du Lac, Sylvester, Misty, Midnight, Melisende, Diana, William, and Henrietta and survived by Geraldine.
In 1967, Nafsika journeyed to Greece with her daughters to visit family, most especially her mother, crossing the United States by train and the Atlantic by ocean liner, the TSS Queen Anna Maria, with stops in Lisbon, Naples, Palermo, and Messina before arriving in Pireaus, Greece. After a year in Greece, they sailed back to New York City with stops and excursions in Messina, Palermo, Naples, Malaga, Lisbon, and Halifax aboard the TSS Cristoforo Colombo, and home to San Francisco by train. The separation from her homeland and family was so painful for her that this was to be her last journey to Greece. In 1973, Nafsika became a proud citizen of the United States and voted in every election. Upon her husband's retirement, the entire family spent time traveling to Canada, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Southern California, and Washington. From a young age until the end of her life, Nafsika approached all the trials and tribulations of life with a positive attitude and adapted to the challenges that faced her with grace and profound faith. She will be deeply missed. During her later years, Nafsika suffered a number of health challenges and setbacks that included extended hospitalization and convalescence. Her daughters wish to thank and extend their appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Reverend Clergy, family, friends and neighbors for their love and support during and throughout those critical moments. The family also wishes to acknowledge the staff of the San Francisco Fire Department, UCSF Medical Center, and her doctors for their devoted care: Dr. Joseph Basso, Dr. Martin Bogetz, Dr. John Fahy, Dr. William Goodson, Dr. John Hutchinson, Dr. Stephanie Jee, Dr. Robert Monetta, Dr. Alan Newman, Dr. Jeanne Marie Quivey, and Dr. Daniel Pound, her geriatric specialist, who provided her with such exceptional care. The family also wishes to acknowledge the Hospice by the Bay Team – Esther, Jennifer, Joshua and Happy; and her loving and devoted caregivers over the last 17 years – Roula, Julita, Carmen, Glenda and Dearie. Family and friends are invited to attend the Prayer Service (Trisagion) Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 7 pm at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd., San Francisco and the funeral service on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 11 am, also at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. On-street parking is available. Interment immediately following funeral service at Greek Orthodox Memorial Park, 1148 El Camino Real, Colma. Luncheon reception to follow interment at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Donations may be made in Nafsika's memory to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd., SF, CA 94131, the UCSF Foundation, P.O. Box 45339, SF, CA 94145-0339 or a charity of your choice. Funeral service directed by Adam Bousiakis of Whitted-Atkins Funeral Home, FD 837.