Paula Catranis Athans

1934 - 2021

Paula Catranis Athans, age 87, passed away on July 3 in Mission Viejo, CA. She was born on June 1, 1934 to Theodore and Chrisanthy Catranis, in Allentown, PA. The beloved sister of Penelope (husband Nick) Menegas and Nicholas (wife Ethel) Catranis; the devoted mother of Connie (husband Steven) Shadell and Ted (wife Dana) Athans; the proud grandmother of Alicia, Caitlin, Savannah Pauline, and Steven; and the proud great-grandmother of Theo.

Her father sent the family to their home in Greece in 1937 during the Depression, for what they intended to be a year; they were only able to return to the US in 1946 after the end of WWII. Paula received her primary education in Greece, and was imbued with its culture, language and religion.

The reunited family settled on Chicago's North Side. There, Paula sang in the choir at St George Greek Orthodox Church, and was a member of the Orthodox Youth, making lifelong friends. She attended Alcott School, and then Amundsen High School, where she performed in variety shows and her interest in the arts flourished. At Wright College in Chicago, she was a Pi Sigma Phi Academic Sorority member, and continued her studies in the arts. She was a talented artist, having her work displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago.

She married in 1956 and moved to California, where she put her career on hold to raise her children. Years later, she returned to the business world and flourished as a fine jewellery saleswoman. She moved to Chicago again in the 1990s to care for her mother, before returning to southern California to enjoy life with her children and grandchildren.

Paula proudly passed on her Greek faith, culture and traditions to her children and grandchildren – as passed on to her from her own grandmother. She loved to dance at festivals and family events. She is remembered for her selfless love and support for her family, and her high spirits.

Paula has been interred at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, CA. A memorial service will be held on August 22 at St George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago.