Demetra Kirages

Demetra Pappas was born on December 2, 1934 in Los Angeles, California to parents Theodore and Panayiota Pappas who were both from the village of Achladokambos in Greece. Her father came to America at the age of 12 and migrated to Los Angeles in his early life. He and his family were members of the Los Angeles based Greek community since the inception of the church on San Julian Street. Demie, as she was affectionately nicknamed, was the second born and is survived by her elder brother John T. Pappas. She and her brother, Johnny, were very close and she often would tell stories of playing with the boys with whatever they were doing such as climbing trees or playing baseball in the street. Demie always desired to be involved.
Throughout her youth, Demie was actively involved in church activities as GOYA advisor and assisted with the Sunday school program. She attended Garfield High School and graduated in 1952 as a member of the Garfield Chatelaines which was the school leadership service organization. Education was very important to Demie, and she continued on to attend Woodbury College in Los Angeles where she graduated in 1954 with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Secreterial Science. After college, Demie worked for several years as a secretary and office manager for Dr. Robert Gentry in Pasadena, CA, which she enjoyed, but her true love was the Greek youth social scene.
Demie was presented as a Debutante in 1953 and was later crowned the Hellenic Community Queen for 1955-1956 at the Greek Orthodox Youth Coronation Ball. Those years were held in high regard as she would tell stories of amazing social events and parties at people's homes (including her own for several of them), Saint Sophia Cathedral and the famous Ambassador Hotel.
After being courted by many suitors, the boy who won her heart was a young man from Indiana. Demetra met John in September 1967 at a party held by a mutual friend. They were wed on March 2, 1968 at Saint Sophia Cathedral with the reception at the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. John was the love of her life and they spent 53 years devoted to each other with a magical bond held together with endless love for their family.
After a brief honeymoon, they lived in an apartment for six months before they moved into a new home in Arcadia, California. Their children, Thomas and Daniel were born in 1969 and 1972. While a primary caregiver to her boys, Demetra assisted Saint Sophia Philoptochos in various capacities over the years. She was chairman of the Debutante Ball in 1986 which was a huge success and volunteered on the board for two more debutante balls.
Demetra spent many hours annually organizing and preparing meatless lasagna dinners with help from the basketball Moms for the GOBL basketball awards dinner at the church hall which always occurred during lent. The years volunteering with Philoptochos and GOBL basketball are some of her fondest memories.
In 1987, Demie started working outside of the home full-time for USC at the medical center. She worked with several different physicians over the years, but most of her efforts were as an office manager for USC orthopedics. She retired in 2000 when her boys completed their education.
Demetra is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, John T. Kirages. Demetra has two sons, Thomas John Kirages (Jennifer) and Daniel John Kirages (Kassandra). Her greatest joy were her boys and five grandchildren. Thomas's children are J.T. (20), Alex (17), and Sydney (15). Daniel's children are Lucas (14) and Juliet (10).
The funeral service is at 10am on Monday, September 13, 2021 at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. The interment immediately after the service will be private.
Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.
______________________________
Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com.AmericanObituary.com is a Baywalk Marketing service.facebook.com/AmericanObituary - twitter.com/AmericaObituary