Elizabeth Thermos

Elizabeth Thermos, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Salamina, Greece, Elizabeth was one of six siblings in a close-knit family. Her journey took her across the world, but her heart was always grounded in the warmth of her Greek heritage and the love she had for her family and faith.
At the age of 22, Elizabeth set out for America with the dream of visiting her aunt Catherine in Brooklyn, New York. Fate, however, had bigger plans for her. Aboard the Olympia passenger ship, she met the love of her life, Timothy Thermos. They married on September 21, 1958, in Brooklyn and began their life together in Oak Forest, Illinois, where they welcomed three children—Jerry, Maria, and Kelly.
In 1968, the family moved to Redondo Beach, California, a place that would become the backdrop of many cherished memories. Elizabeth’s radiant smile and kind spirit touched everyone she met, especially during her time working at Bullocks in the handbag department, where she found joy in connecting with customers.
Her love for family was boundless. She adored her grandchildren and never missed a chance to spoil them with her famous “soupitsa” and host sleepovers that they would fondly remember forever. Elizabeth cherished her peaceful morning walks along the beach, often meeting friends for coffee at the pier afterward, where they would share stories and laughter.
A woman of deep faith, Elizabeth was a dedicated member of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach. She was active in the Philoptochos Society and adored the fellowship of her church family. Her spirit of adventure also led her to explore new places, including the Holy Land, China, and Alaska, alongside her travel companions from St. Katherine.
Though Elizabeth lost her beloved Timothy far too soon when he passed away at 61 in 1995, she carried his memory with her every day. Now, they are reunited, along with her parents, Michael and Anna Kanaris, and her siblings Maria, Vaggeli, and Adonis.
Elizabeth leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience in her children: Jerry (Elli), Maria (Douglas), and Kelly (Chris), her eight grandchildren: Michael (Megan), Alexander (Arianna), Juliana (Jackson), Elizabeth, Stella, Timothy, Elizabeth, and Jiana, and her two great-grandchildren, Avery and Aiden. Her warmth, wisdom, and grace will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her.
May her memory be eternal and may the love she gave so freely continue to inspire us all.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 25th, 2024, at 9:30 am at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Knob Hill Avenue, Redondo Beach, California, 90277. A Makaria brunch will follow immediately after the service.