Marianthi Lansdale

Marianthi Lansdale passed away on October 31, 2024. She was 92.

Marianthi was born on March 7, 1932 to Greek immigrants Soteria and Christ Kozaites in Detroit, MI. A few years later, the family moved to sunny Long Beach, California, attracted to the warm, dry air, feeling much closer to their beloved native Greece.

In 1971 Marianthi married the love of her life, William “Bit” Lansdale. They took home for many years in Huntington Beach, then Seal Beach, and finally back to Long Beach. They remained joyfully married until his passing in 2014. She worked side by side with Bit in their successful land developments and other businesses. He always referred to his “doll” as the “brains behind the operation.”

Marianthi gave back to the community by way of arts and education. In 1985 she was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the California State University system, serving on the Board until 1993. She served as Chancellor from 1988-1990. She also helped found the Long Beach Symphony, Long Beach Grand Opera, and the Long Beach Cancer League, having been a survivor of two separate forms of late stage cancer.

Marianthi most enjoyed traveling the world (especially Las Vegas) with her husband, being an illustrious grandmother to her cherished grandchildren, dinners with chocolate mud pies for dessert, ice cream at midnight, See’s Candies, Billy Wilder movies, matinees at the Long Beach Marketplace, delving into all the celebrity gossip magazines, and just loving the banquet of life.

Marianthi will be remembered by all who loved her for her delicious sense of humor, glamorous style, and lifelong generosity.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, November 18 at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Church in Long Beach.