Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

First Generation

Proud to Be Greek
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Education Evia Exhibits First Generation Greece Keeping Community Restaurant Second Generation SW Washington

The story that follows was written by Maria (Mary) Doxanis (Docsanes) Erickson in April of 2014 and has been reformatted and edited for this exhibit.

Wallingford Revisited
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Business Owner Central Greece First Generation Making a Living Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Washington State Western Washington

Seattle, Washington’s Wallingford neighborhood was the Greek community for siblings Gus Cooper and Tasia Prineas.

It’s Always Been Mary
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Aegean Islands Church Exhibits First Generation Government Keeping Community Medicine Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Washington State Western Washington

Mary George (nee Courounes) has held on tightly to her Greek heritage while living in Seattle, Washington, almost her entire life.

Not Lost in Translation
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AHEPA Assumption Athens Central Greece daughters First Generation Keeping Community law Seattle Second Generation

As a bilingual legal secretary, Molly Conom, interpreted and translated for her boss, attorney Gust Kostakos, who spoke only English which his Greek-speaking clients did not know.

Down by the Riverside
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Assumption First Generation Making a Home Restaurant Seattle

West Seattle was home for a large number of Greek families when Thalia and Kiki Denos were growing up. Their family home was a center of activity for many friends and relatives.

“As Greek as I can Get”
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First Generation Holy Trinity Keeping Community Peloponese Philoptochos Spokane

With both Belgian and Greek legacies, Pearl Pavlos chose the latter and has always seen herself “as Greek as I can get” with inseparable ties to her Greek Orthodox Church.

The Giving Farmer
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Agriculture AHEPA Assumption Athens Everett First Generation Keeping Community Military Puget Sound Western Washington

In his youth, Panos George Takis (Tsiknes) learned to share what he had with others. He was taught the spirit of generosity on the family farm in Machias, Washington, which was a gathering place for many Greeks. Today he continues to help others in need.

An Island Experience in Tacoma
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First Generation Holy Apostles Keeping Community Military Saint Demetrios Seattle Tacoma Turkey

For sister and brother, Voula Dodd and John John, life in Tacoma included much of the culture and traditions of living on the island of Marmara.

Many Strangers, Two Little Kisses
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Assumption Central Greece Exhibits First Generation Making a Home Seattle

Pauli (Pauline) Cave’s name is interesting. Her given name, Polixeni, literally translated means many strangers and her first married name, Diafos, was originally Diafilakis or two little kisses.

At Home on Land or Sea
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Bar First Generation Keeping Community Saint Demetrios Seattle

Bill and Jeanne Kaimakis have shared many wonderful and challenging moments both in houses on land and on a 50-foot ocean-going vessel.