Vivian T. Arfaras passed away peacefully at home due to natural causes after a vibrant life of 94 years.
She was born in Cleveland, OH to James and Stella Trilivas. She was preceded in death by her beloved hus-band, John N. Arfaras, and her loving sister Helen T. Peters. She is survived by her children, Tina (Jim), Steve, and Xanthe.; four grandchildren, Christine (Jorge), Michael (Kally), James, and Joseph; four great-grandchildren, Jack, Jade, James, and Nikitas. Vivian was a retired member of Philoptochos for 50 years as was her mother; a 37 year member of the Daughters of Penelope, and member of both the Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists and West Pasco Legal Support Association. Throughout her younger years, she was very active in church life, mostly choir, in the parishes of Annunciation, Cleveland, OH, the Annunciation, NYC, St. Demetrios, Astoria, Holy Trinity, Clearwater, and choir consultant behind the scenes at St. George due to her mobility issues in the past few years. Thanks to technology, she was well-briefed–to say the least!
In Lieu of Flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. George Agape Fund or to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
An excerpt from Vivian’s Memoirs
“I loved music and the theater! When I was 16, I wanted to work at the Palace Theater in Cleveland, but I had to be 18 to apply, so I faked an ID and was hired as an usherette and also for the candy stand. I wore a light blue uniform with stars on each collar (satin). I escorted people with my flashlight for immediate seating on the upper floors . Lower floor was for standing room only. I met many stage stars like Frank Sinatra, and his generation of performers. I know many untold sto-ries.
In NYC at the Rockefeller Center, I was a legal secretary to ‘Seven Irishmen lawyers’ for Sinclair Refining Co. I watched the St. Patrick’s Day Parade from huge high-rise windows. At the same time, my sister Helen and I performed for many church charities and benefits and also dueted on the Greek Radio Hour and the Spanish Radio Hour. Helen played the mandolin, and I played the guitar while we sang American, Greek, and Spanish songs. Spyros Skouras, President of Twentieth Century Fox, offered me us contracts to Hollywood and a future. He wanted us to perform at the St. Moritz Ho-tel for a weekly salary of $150 (in the 1940’s). Dad said, YES. Mom said NO emphatically, no–no. Excuse was “She raised her girls to sing only for church benefits and functions, not to be exploited in Hollywood.â€
Prior to moving to NYC, I attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and took voice lessons. In NY, I sang for the Arthur Godfrey Hour and was the opening act for Danny Thomas at the Manhattan Center when he came to do a benefit perfor-mance for the Furriers National Convention. Later, when we moved to NYC to pursue music, both our college careers were interrupted when my sister and I earned our MRS degrees. So, we did not become Hollywood stars, but we gained wonderful lives with our beautiful children. We both sang in the Annunciation choir. I was a soloist and choir director. Dad, James Trilivas, was the founding president of the present day Annunciation Church in Manhattan. He went door-to-door soliciting donations to buy the Presbyterian Church with its pipe organ, balconies, and inclined seating on the main floor. His name is on a marble plaque in the narthex. By the way, back at the Annunciation in Cleveland, he was awarded a 36†silver trophy for the huge increase in membership under his leadership. Later in NYC, I was secretary to Administra-tor Soltis at the Cancer Memorial Hospital. I was also paid by Rockefeller and Strawbridge Clothier to sign their signature on donation forms and mail.
After moving to Florida in 1967, I really did not get to retire. I worked at Mease Retirement Home, Dunedin as a private duty companion for some Alzheimer patients. My duties included escorting them to the dining room and their bedrooms and keeping record of the meds and activities. At Ponce de Leon Elementary, I was a teacher assistant trying to keep law and order. I was busy at Holy Trinity, Clearwater where I became the first choir leader and soloist. I was also a Sunday School teacher, in the ladies groups, etc. Then I was a secretary at Tina’s Friendly Florist on Drew St. I helped a lot of men come out of the doghouse by helping them write poetic lines for their floral orders, processed the orders on the FTD computer, directed the drivers, and had a lot of fun. Of course, in the afternoon, I became a Yiayia taxi, picking up the grandchildren and driving them to Greek School and sports–via McDonald’s at their very strong urging!!! My days contin-ued into the evening when my mother (Grandma Stella) and I baby sat, enforced homework over Nintendo, etc. The love of my life was my husband, John Arfaras. We played the guitars together and Helen played the mandolin, along with my music teacher who had retired here. We sang and played music for endless hours and danced tangos and rumbas at the Columbia Restaurant. John wrote beautiful poetry in English and Greek and many articles pertaining to politics for the Tribune. He was born in Tampa and highly educated, and his family was one of the founding families of Tarpon Springs. Smoking cigarettes killed him!
I enjoy watching my great-grandchildren. I remember how much I loved the Cleveland Indians baseball games, roller skating, running the bases, bike riding, and playing the Spanish guitar and singing. I loved to cook non-stop and bake. I see they are sharing their culture and my recipes at school and being rewarded for good grades doing it! Our local family has grown to about 60 people. As the cycle of life continues with the newest generation, I hope they will have many hap-py memories and learn about their ancestors. (They are upset with me for misplacing Babe Ruth’s autograph!!!) Had I known what I know now about collectibles!!!â€
Vicky Izvinko (Friend of the family)
May 13, 2020, 12:00 am
My sincere condolences to Tina and Jim and your family may her memory be eternal God Guide you to celebrate her long beautiful life
Jacqueline Lewnes (Sister in Daughters of Penelope)
May 13, 2020, 12:00 am
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mom. May her memory live eternal in your hearts. And may those memories give you great comfort and joy. God bless you all. I will pray for God to bless you with His comfort and peace.
Jacqueline Lewnes (Sister in Daughters of Penelope)
May 13, 2020, 12:00 am
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mom. May her memory live eternal in your hearts. And may those memories give you great comfort and joy. God bless you all. I will pray for God to bless you with His comfort and peace.
joanne sackedis (friend)
May 13, 2020, 12:00 am
Tina and family,
Sorry to hear of Vivian's passing.She will definitely be a person that will be missed. Her smile was always there from when you all were part of the Clearwater Ahepa Family and into the New Port Richey group. May the happy memories you all shared sustain you through the days ahead. May her memory be eternal.
Joanne Sackedis
joanne sackedis (friend)
May 13, 2020, 12:00 am
Tina and family,
Sorry to hear of Vivian's passing.She will definitely be a person that will be missed. Her smile was always there from when you all were part of the Clearwater Ahepa Family and into the New Port Richey group. May the happy memories you all shared sustain you through the days ahead. May her memory be eternal.
Joanne Sackedis
Judith Koutsos (Friend - DOP sister)
May 14, 2020, 12:00 am
I am so very sorry to hear of Vivian's passing.
She was a very special lady
with a lot of class.
I will deeply miss her.
may her memory be eternal
John & Clio Doukakis (Aunt)
May 14, 2020, 12:00 am
Rest In Peace my Dear Aunt Vivian
Nick & Grace Vouvalis (None)
May 15, 2020, 12:00 am
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother! May God rest her soul in peace and her memory be eternal!
Melinda (Mindy) Vargas (Family friend)
May 18, 2020, 12:00 am
My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. Vivian was a lovely, kind, intelligent woman, and will be missed by many. Steve, you were an amazing, and selfless caregiver. May God bless you and your family during this time of grieving.
Wendi Hill Gomes (Steven's ADT representative)
May 20, 2020, 12:00 am
talked to Steven about adding to his home security system. He compelled me to take a sneak peak. Prayers, condolences, and strength to the family. Stay Strong with all that is goin on in the world…
Sandy Mussehl (former neighbor)
May 23, 2020, 12:00 am
Vivian was a beautiful lady;with many precious moemories for you to hold on to.Your in my thought and prayers. GOD BLESS YOU.
Prof Asher J Matathias (Steven’s mom, a friend)
May 24, 2020, 12:00 am
We learn with deep sadness of Steve Saravan mother’s untimely passing. Anna joins me n this expression of deep sympathy. May your beloved mother’s memory be a source of inspiration and comfort to you, and the family for years to come; and may her sweet soul be bound in life eternal. Amen.
Inga N. (Family Friend)
May 29, 2020, 12:00 am
Ms. Vivian, May you rest peacefully in Heaven where there is so much peace and no more pain and suffering. You were a blessing to this world. Your existence will be surely missed. Your Son, Steve is a wonderful Man, whom loved and cared for his beloved Mother until the day you passed on. He is an amazing soul. Steve inherited all of your kindness and greatness. You’re in my thoughts today and forever. God bless you and your Family. I’m here for Steve, not to worry. I will see to it that he is always at his best. . Luv Ya and Miss Ya beautiful 🌹
Love,
-Inga N.
Steve (Son)
December 16, 2020, 12:00 am
Mom, I waited until today, December 15th which would have been your 95th Birthday to post an entry here. On this very special day, as you know from your Heavenly home above we celebrated your Birthday with a beautiful cake embellished with red roses, Birthday sentiments filled with love, and your picture.
We visited your final resting place in Clearwater with bright red roses, just as you wanted, also visited Aunt Helen, Uncle Artie, Grandma & Grandpa. Afterwards, we all ate at a Greek restaurant with Ang, Stella, Phil, Jimmy, and Joey. There, we all reminisced the good times, the laughs, the family gatherings, the holidays, and so many unforgettable moments that are too many to detail here. Tom & Carole in West Hollywood, California
send love, messages from Florida, California, Greece, Lebanon, and Japan all arrived for you today, your Birthday! The weather was picture perfect, the sun was out and the cool winter breeze was refreshing and your spirit was ever-present.
Although I miss you more than anyone will every know, what makes me smile and gives me encouragement and hope and made grieving your loss bearable was all the wonderful conversations we had about everything, just the 2 of us, me sitting in the red chair across from you. You made me laugh and cry, good tears. You left us on Mother's Day which will always be special to us. I want to add that I hope I was a good son, as I did my best to take care of you and that I made you proud. Your Birthday during the Christmas season will always be special. When I went to pick up your cake from the Publix bakery, I got out of my car & I happened to hear a bell ringing. I immediately stood still for a fleeting moment. It sounded just like the bell you would ring, the bell that I bought you, so that whenever you needed me you'd ring. It brought back a good memory of you and at the same time brought tears to my eyes. When I looked, it was a lady from the Salvation Army ringing the bell collecting donations for the needy. I stopped, dropped a dollar in the container, and told the volunteer, “That's
from my mom, Vivian.”
Love you forever, mom!
Stella Zambalis-Laba (My maternal Aunt)
December 19, 2020, 12:00 am
My dear Aunt Vivian was a beautiful woman inside and out, whom loved her family dearly. As a teenager, I found that ALL of our female family members were great cooks, (this is still so) but I, myself, always thought my Aunt Vivian was the BEST!!!! I found it sad early on even as a kid, that she couldn't be on her feet very long. (Probably arthritis?) She not only was an amazing cook, but NO ONE topped Aunt Vivian's sweets like Koulourakia and ALL the Greek Pastries for each Greek and Holy Seasons. I miss her a lot, as she was hilarious at times when she'd make a comment out loud out of the 'blue'!! HAHA!
My favorite hair style that my Thea Vivi wore was the BEE HIVE!!! She looked soooooo glamorous with it up–like a real live Movie Star!!!!
Through the years to the end times, she still had clarity and wisdom and as far as I know, her mind was sound and sharp up until the time our Lord Jesus wanted her with Him.
See you soon, Thea Vivi!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! xoxoxo!!!