Joann Yianitsas Crassas

1937 - 2025

Joann Yianitsas Crassas
05/14/1937 - 06/17/2025
Heaven has welcomed another angel, with a joyous voice and a heart filled with laughter. Joann Crassas' wonderous life made a positive impact on all she encountered and left an indelible impression on her Houston community, if not the world.
The story of Joann Crassas' remarkable life begins in Beaumont, Texas where, as the youngest of three children born to parents Harry and Chryssanthe Yianitsas (née Argyropoulos), she was the only child in her family to have been delivered in a hospital. She was raised, with brothers, George and Sam, in a home filled with love, laughter, and music-all later hallmarks of her life and career.
As a child, she expressed her creative spirit through music, earning praise for her beautiful voice and talents as a dancer and pianist. These pursuits, along with academics, were encouraged by her loving parents and siblings, with whom she enjoyed a special bond. She would later credit her accomplished brothers for fueling her desire to be "as good as they were."
Grounded by her family life and respectful of the social protocols of the day, Joann's natural beauty, engaging manner, and effervescent personality made her a campus favorite and opened doors to a world of glamour and grandeur. As homecoming queen and Sigma Chi sweetheart, Joann's social circle included friendships with students and teachers, not to mention a parade of worthy suitors. But when an introduction to Bob Hope garnered an invitation for a Hollywood screen test, her mother firmly reminded her that life as an entertainer was not an appropriate profession for a young Greek woman.
Nonetheless, the Yianitsas family's penchant for travel carried a young Joann to distant shores. During a summer in Europe, she found herself in social situations far beyond those imaginable in Southeast Texas. Not surprisingly, Joann flourished in these settings and a new league of suitors appeared. Among them was William "Bill" Crassas, a dapper young diplomat whose mastery of multiple foreign languages earned him a role in the U.S. Foreign Service during peacetime.
A single man with an influential position, Bill pursued an active social life as a full-time bon vivant. But once he laid eyes on Joann, all that changed. She was smart. She was witty. She was beautiful. And he was smitten.
It was a love story for the ages, but a series of misadventures and delays, both accidental and intentional, almost derailed this budding romance before it had a chance to take flight. As Bill's charm and persistence won the favor of his future mother-in-law, she put aside her thoughts of Aristotle Onassis as a son-in-law and embraced a new vision for her daughter's life.
And what a life it would be.
When Bill assumed responsibility for a new branch of his family's shipping supply business, the young couple set up house in Houston. Joann, who had finished college in three years, now pursued her master's in education from the University of Houston. She taught school during the day, studied in the afternoon, then attended night school. It was during her time as an elementary school teacher that she and Bill prepared to welcome their first child, Sia.
Sadly, the rules of the day dictated that pregnant schoolteachers were not permitted to teach in the classroom, so Joann stepped away to prepare for her new role as a wife and mother. Four years later, more personal and professional successes arrived for both Bill and Joann, as did their second child, Dean. Soon after, Bill was named honorary consul of the Republic of Cypress, which allowed the family to travel extensively. Joann became active in the local Greek Orthodox Church, joined community service groups, and shared her talent and passions with an ever-expanding group of non-profit arts, community, and humanitarian organizations. Despite her demanding schedule and a host of duties and responsibilities, Joann managed to add real estate broker, TV producer, and city councilwoman to her growing list of accomplishments.
In short order, Joann Crassas became a woman to watch, follow, and admire. Her social calendar remained filled as she became a much sought after guest and collaborator.
Her passions included the arts, sciences, and education in addition to welfare and human services. Over the years, she chaired or co-chaired dozens of luncheons, banquets, galas, and other fundraisers for organizations such as Child Advocates, the Consular Ladies Club, the Assistance League, the Houston Symphony, the University of Houston's Moores School of Music, the Houston Ballet, and the Hellenic Professional Society.
In addition to chairing events, Joann served on multiple boards, guilds and committees including those in support of the March of Dimes, the Heart Guild, and the Ronald McDonald House.
In tribute to her life of service, Joann was honored for her work by a number of organizations, notably the Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists "Angel of the Year," and the Crohn's and Colitis "Woman of Distinction."
As a breast cancer survivor, the cause of women's health remained paramount in importance to Joann and for her service to this community, she was honored with the American Cancer League's Pacesetter Award and with additional recognition by the Cancer Fighters of Houston.
But first among these many milestones must surely be Joann's recognition as Volunteer of the Year by the American Heart Association, an honor that placed her on the same stage and earned her an acknowledgement from former First Lady Barbara Bush.
For the woman courted by Hollywood, who caught the eye of an international shipping magnate, and charmed everyone she met in the US and abroad, her most cherished accomplishment was the family she and Bill raised and nurtured.
"My greatest gift of all is my children. I remind them that this is their moment, you don't get it back. There will be a time when you can't remember as well, and you can't walk as fast. Don't worry about the little things. Before you know it, you're too old and you can't do what you used to do. Enjoy your life while you can!"
Joann and Bill Crassas were married for sixty years before his passing in 2020, and she was also preceded in death by her brothers, George Yianitsas and Sam Yianitsas. She is survived by her daughter, Sia Crassas Ruppert; her son-in-law, Tim Ruppert; and grandchildren, Elyse, William, and Gregory Ruppert, originally of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her passing is also mourned by her son, Dean Crassas of Houston.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston. The funeral service will begin at 10:30, followed by the traditional meal in the Cathedral's Martel Hall. The Rite of Committal will follow at 2:00 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.
The Crassas family expresses their thanks to Margy Sproule, Silvia Gonzales, and Noemy Tejada who provided compassionate care and comfort to Joann Crassas during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, the Crassas family suggests donations to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, or the Houston Symphony's Endowment Fund.
May her memory be eternal.