Presbytera Vasiliki "Vaso" Paris

Presbytera Vasiliki "Vaso" Paris

June 29, 1935 ~ March 29, 2026

Presbytera Vasiliki "Vaso" Paris, a much be-loved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, godmother, and adored Presbytera, fell asleep in the Lord in the early morning hours of the Lord's Day, Sunday, March 29, 2026.

A loving, kind, and generous woman, Vaso touched countless lives with her warmth, grace, and unwavering faith. She was born on June 29, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Emmanuel Katinas and Mary Potsos Katinas, immigrants from Rhodes, Greece. She remained a devoted St. Louis sports fan throughout her life, proudly cheering for her teams well into her later years.

A chic and stylish young woman of the 1950s, she captured the heart of Thomas J. Paris of Chicago, Illinois, and the two were married in 1959. They began their married life in Greece, where they welcomed their first son, James (Demetrios).

The young family later moved to Savannah, Georgia, where they began their devoted ministry at Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, as the beloved Fr. Tom and Presbytera Vaso Paris. During their years in Savannah, they nurtured a vibrant and loving parish community while growing their family with the addition of Maria, Paul, Connie, and Thomas.

In 1971, the family relocated to Oakland, California, where Vaso spent more than 50 years surrounded by deep friendships, cherished family, and the Ascension Cathedral community that loved her dearly.

Vasiliki means "Royal" or "Regal", and she lived up to her name with a quick wit, elegant style, creative spirit, and a heart that made her a gift to all who knew her.

She will always be remembered for keeping in touch with everyone with her lovely Hallmark cards, exquisite penmanship, encouraging notes, seasonal stickers, and family photographs. She remembered everyone's birthdays and Feast Days.

Vaso was a renowned hostess during all the holidays, paying attention to every detail, décor, and table setting. Her traditional Greek dishes and pastries were delectable and legendary. Every season, occasion, and Feast was a celebration for her, and you knew it once you stepped into her home. She was a great hostess that people did not want to leave.

She was creative and artistic and enjoyed painting in her later years. She was recognized by the San Francisco Arts for Elders Program through the Reutlinger Community and her paintings were displayed in San Francisco City Hall.

We thank the many loving caregivers, nurses, and staff of the Reutlinger Community who cared for her deeply. We also would like to recognize our special caregivers Celia and Corrie. We thank you for your daily devotion to mom.

Vaso's life was one of faith, elegance, and deep devotion to her family and community. Her legacy of love, thoughtfulness, and kindness will live on in all who cherished and knew her.

Vaso was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend Father Thomas J. Paris; her son, Thomas Nicholas Paris; her brothers, Gus Katinas and Nicholas Katinas; and her sister-in-law, Anna Katinas.

She is survived by her loving and devoted children, James (Eleni) Paris, Maria (James) Delvizis, Paul (Stephanie) Paris, and Constance Joy Paris; her sister-in-law, Angela Katinas; many loving nieces and nephews; her cherished grandchildren, Grace Paris, Michael Delvizis, Nicholas Paris, Vasiliki Paris, Lucas Paris, Sophia Paris, Alexander Delvizis, and Thomas G. Paris; as well as beloved cousins and godchildren.

Trisagion Service Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 5 p.m. Funeral Service Thursday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m., followed by the traditional makaria (meal). Both services to take place at Ascension Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA. Live streaming available at ascensioncathedral.com, facebook.com/ascensioncathedral and youtube.com/@ascensiongreekorthodoxcath1535

Burial/Graveside Trisagion Service Friday, April 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Ascension Cathedral, Fr. Tom Paris Chapel Completion Fund, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602