Anastasia Kohelis Obituary (1957

Anastasia (Ristas) Kohelis Anastasia Kohelis, 63, of Medina, passed away after a serious illness on December 4, 2020. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Emanuel Kohelis; daughter, Christina Stellani Uschold (Nicholas); mother, Christina Ristas; siblings, Phyllis Kopan (Michael), James Ristas and Maria Theofilos (Georgio); nephews, Tykie Theofilos, James Theodore Theofilos, Christos Michael Kopan and niece and goddaughter, Anastasia Katherine Kopan. She was preceded in death by her father, Theodore Ristas; grandparents, 'Yiayias and Papous', Dimitri and Anastasia Tsipoura and Costa and Filareti Ristas; mother-in-law and father in law, Peter and Stellani Kohelis. Anastasia graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Law. She attended Law School at Akron University. She worked in Sales for many years and left the workplace to raise her precious baby daughter, Christina. Our beautiful angel, Anastasia, was a woman full of love, intelligence and compassion. She was a beauty in every sense of the word and in every way that a human being could be. Anastasia was chosen AHEPA (American Helenic Educational Philanthropic Association) Queen in Middletown, Ohio. A distinction which she was so very deserving of. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. Anastasia was full of fun and made everyone she ever met feel like a friend that she had known for years. She adored her puppies Sammy and Baby and her ('niece' Kookla). Anastasia blessed the lives of everyone who knew her with her effervescent and beautiful soul. She loved her Greek Heritage and Greek Orthodox Faith and was immersed in the Greek Culture and faith since childhood at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lorain. She was a member of the Church Choir with her strong and lovely alto voice. Anastasia was a member of the Greek Dance Group that represented St. Nicholas G.O.C. at the International Festival of Lorain County for several years. She was elected GOYA, (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) president on more than one occasion and managed it with her instinctive leadership and enthusiasm. Anastasia loved to dance, she was a cheerleader and very athletic and curious. She played guitar and she was an amazing artist and she loved Broadway Musicals. Anastasia was so gifted and talented in so many ways but was never boastful, she believed in letting others shine while she stayed in the background. She was so very strong and optimistic about everything in life. During her illness, she met the challenge head on and never complained or felt sorry for herself. Her husband, Emanuel and daughter, Christina were everything to her. The mother and daughter relationship between Anastasia and her precious Christina was extraordinary. They were so very close. She was an exquisite and loving mother in every way, and we know that they will be close forever. The name Anastasia means resurrection in Greek and she rightfully celebrated her Name day on Easter. Her private funeral was held December 9, 2020 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lorain, presided by Father Michael Gulgas. She was laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain. Donations can be made in Anastasia's memory to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 2000 Tower Boulevard, Lorain, OH. Arrangements by Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, Lorain, OH 44053. Online condolences may be sent to the family by using www.rsgfuneralhome.com