Cecelia Loula Vriheas

1939 - 2025

Cecelia Loula Vriheas
08/06/1939 - 07/25/2025
With heavy hearts, the Vriheas family announces the passing of Cecelia Loula Vriheas, who departed this life peacefully on July 25, 2025, surrounded by her devoted family.
Born on August 6, 1939, in Beverly, Washington, Cecelia was the daughter of Amelia and Theodore Antonopoulos, Greek immigrants who came to the United States in the early 1900s. She was raised in Ellensburg, Washington, alongside her beloved older brother, Diamandi Antonopoulos. Her early years were shaped by her family's deep faith, rich traditions, and a strong sense of community.
Cecelia attended Central Washington University, where she played multiple instruments in the marching band-an experience she often described as the happiest time of her youth, filled with friendship, purpose, and the joy of music. Music remained a lifelong passion-one she would later share generously as a teacher, choir member, and campfire director.
After marrying the love of her life, Michael Vriheas, in 1960, Cecelia moved to San Francisco, where she and Michael built a life filled with laughter, tears, hard work, and enduring love. Together, they raised four children: Amy (Michael), Nicholas (Vicky), Carrie (Michael), and Tedi (Kurt). Her greatest pride was her family, and her joy only grew with the arrival of her four grandchildren: Michael, Eleni, Dimitrius, and Alexander. She also held a special place in her heart for Bong-Hee, her "4th daughter".
Cecelia lived a life of quiet strength and selfless service. At the Annunciation Cathedral, her contributions were countless: she led the Greek Orthodox Food Festival kitchen for many years, becoming known not just for her flawless bread and legendary pastitsio, but for her tireless energy, grace under pressure, and generous spirit. A longtime supporter of the Philoptochos, she gave of herself freely, never seeking recognition. She was honored as Mother of the Year-a fitting tribute to a woman whose greatest joy was her role as
mother and grandmother.
At the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and School, Cecelia served as the music teacher, pianist for student productions, and choir member, offering help whenever and wherever it was needed.
She had an extraordinary green thumb, and her garden was her sanctuary-a place of beauty, peace, and quiet prayer. Tending to her roses and orchids brought her great happiness. Her garden was a reflection of her soul: patient, nurturing, full of life, and open to all. It's no surprise she became a proud member of the San Francisco Garden Club.
An avid golfer and tennis player, Cecelia brought enthusiasm and friendship to every match. She also traveled the world with her close-knit "cruise group," embracing each destination with curiosity and joy, always treasuring the community and laughter they shared. She especially cherished long coffees with friends and group lunches at Sotto Mare, where stories were exchanged, laughter flowed, and her enduring curiosity about others shone through.
She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and yiayia. Her love was constant, her presence steady, and her heart was warm and welcoming. She had a gift for healing through food and compassion and her home was a sanctuary of warmth, where no one ever left hungry-or unheard.
She will be remembered by a community of her making, for her generosity, her strength, her humor, her music, her table, and the love she gave so freely. Her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her legacy will live on-in every kind act, every hymn sung, every recipe passed down, and in the quiet grace of her philotimo, which touched everyone she knew.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Trisagion Prayer Service on Monday, August 11th, at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco, and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m., also at Holy Trinity. Interment will follow at the Greek Orthodox Memorial Park in Colma.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions be made to the Cecelia Loula Vriheas Memorial Fund c/o Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA 94132; to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Building Fund, 245 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; or to the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, 2570 48th St., Suite 2508, Sacramento, CA 95817 (c/o Vriheas Family Scholarship in Nursing).