Jeanie Christopoulos
March 13, 1931 - December 19, 2021
Longtime Resident of Piedmont/Oakland
Jeanie Christopoulos, longtime Piedmont resident and member of the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Oakland, died peacefully in her sleep just before Christmas.
Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, to Mr. and Mrs. Gus Batestas, Jeanie was a bright child, successful in school and driven to achieve. She enjoyed studying the piano and voice. She relocated to California in the 1950's where she would become exceptionally active in cultural, community and political affairs in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1961, she married Bay Area real estate developer Dan Christopoulos in one of the first wedding ceremonies performed in the newly built Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension, now the Cathedral of the Ascension.
Jeanie and Dan, along with Reverend Tom Paris and other Ascension members served on the Building and Design Committee for the Community Center built adjacent to the Cathedral in the late 1970's. It continues to be an integral part of the community today, hosting weddings, high school proms, as well as traditional Greek Orthodox celebrations throughout the year. Jeanie was generous and giving with her time, and an excellent, self-taught cook. She was honored to teach The Art of Baklava at Ascension's annual Oakland Greek Festivals.
Jeanie was an active volunteer in her community, beginning in her children's schools. In 1970, she campaigned for Dr. Marcus Foster to be appointed as Superintendent of Schools for the Oakland Unified School District. In 1977, Jeanie joined The Cancer League Inc., a nonprofit that funds groundbreaking, early-stage cancer research. Jeanie was extremely proud to have been the only two-term President from 1991 to 1993.
The Oakland Museum Women's Board White Elephant Sale would eventually become Jeanie's true philanthropic passion. Joining the Board in 1990. Jeanie was the Chair/ Co-Chair of the Jewelry Department from 2010 -2020. What she lacked in formal Gemology study, she made up for with her tireless enthusiasm. Jeanie worked hard to educate herself and staff on everything about jewelry, augmenting knowledge with strategic sales training for her colleagues--"the Jewels" as they called themselves.
Jeanie and Dan lived in Piedmont for 43 years, until they moved to Oakland for the spectacular view. With a panorama of the Bay and overlooking Claremont Golf Course, their home brought great joy to Jeanie. This would be her last home, her dream home, with her soul mate. Dan and Jeanie spent their lives together utterly in love. Their marriage thrived for 56 years until Dan's passing in 2017.
Jeanie loved big cities and felt fortunate to spend a lot of time in NYC. She and Dan were avid Broadway theatergoers. They were known to get off a long flight across country, hustle over to TKTS and be promptly in their seats for a show that evening. Additionally, Jeanie was particularly passionate about Asian art, and always included in her trips to Manhattan visits to galleries, dealers, and museums, where she fed her keen interest in Japanese Imari. Jeanie and Dan traveled the world together, adventuring as far away as China and Africa. Especially dear to her were their annual summer and winter trips to Lake Tahoe for skiing, boating and quality time with family and friends.
At home, Jeanie and Dan loved entertaining; their home was regularly buzzing with their nearest and dearest, sharing big dinners, and spirited socializing. She was a wily Bridge partner enjoying the friendship of the same group for decades. Jeanie loved the company of the Sewing Club, where most of the time more tales were spun than anything involving needle and thread. Jeanie was a devoted follower of professional sports, ready to go toe-to-toe with the men on any topic, especially the Warriors and her favorite player, Steph Curry. Never one to fall behind on current events, nothing gave Jeanie more joy than to sit and read the NY Times cover to cover--except maybe clipping articles of interest for her family.
Jeanie is survived by her son Basil and his wife Shirley; daughter Eleni Gianopulos and husband Randall; grandchildren Rebecca, Peter, William, and Sophia. Her Sister-in-law Elaine Platias and Brother-in-law Tasso Voulgares and her godchildren Pam and Dave Fullerton, and their children John, Anastasia and George. She was predeceased by her mother Elaine Batestas, and two sisters, Maria Batestas and Becky Voulgares. A celebration of Jeanie's life will be held as soon as Covid restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jeanie's memory may be made to the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Oakland, The Oakland Museum of California, or The Cancer League, Inc. For further information, please call Harry W. Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745).

View the online memorial for Jeanie Christopoulos