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An Island Experience In Tacoma
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

An Island Experience In Tacoma

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. In their teenage years, with exposure to American culture, their lives expanded and grew while maintaining the fond memories of their childhood.

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An American-Greek Life in Aberdeen
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

An American-Greek Life in Aberdeen

Eleni or “Nitsa” (the familiar of Elenitsa or little Eleni) Rockas (nee Rotous) was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington, on November 6, 1933. She is seen here holding her autobiography, “Reflections of an American-Greek Life,” which she completed in May of 2013. In her words: “Now that I am almost 80 years old, it is time to write a history of MY LIFE so that my children and grandchildren will understand their mother and yiayia (grandmother) and how she became what she is because of the history of her origins.”

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Float Like a Butterfly
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

Float Like a Butterfly

The butterfly collection in Ethel Barbas’ home illustrates her joyful and optimistic visits with family and friends as she travels the roads in western Washington. Testimony to her travel is her 1997 Honda del Sol with over 350,000 miles. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Ethel (Anthe) Evans (Evangelou) has roots in Everett and Seattle as well.

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A Whole Second Life
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

A Whole Second Life

The 1950s in Port Angeles, Washington, was a time of assimilation and conformity for Christina Caris (Kakouros) Siaterlis. But living in Greece and a Greek husband have enriched her life and have given her a full appreciation of her Greek heritage.

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The Brothers Three
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

The Brothers Three

  George, Andrew and Angelo Ballasiotes’ youthful escapades were occasionally overlooked as their father Christos was well known and respected in Aberdeen, Washington.  The three brothers grew up at a time when the Grays Harbor logging camps and sawmills provided significant wealth for its residents and where a surprisingly large number of Greeks settled.  Their love and admiration for their father who they say was the kindest and most generous person you would ever meet permeates their stories.

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Family Comes First
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

Family Comes First

The walls of Tom Cassis’ basement recreation room contain a family history of plhotos beyond imagination.  For him as long as the family comes first, everything else will fall in line.  His memory of names, dates and places shows how important those relationships have been in his life.

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Learning the Hard Way
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

Learning the Hard Way

Thomay (from Thomas) “May” Fenerly grew up in a small cottage on Sequim Bay on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula without a road until 1937 and without electricity until 1955.  Despite the challenges of living and learning in a remote location May successfully pursued and developed a career in education.  She has also meticulously documented the family history in words and photos.

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Making Sweet Music Together
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

Making Sweet Music Together

For 58 years, Peter Evans Jr. and Anna Damoulou Evans have maintained their faith, their vows and their musical interests.  They recall many activities in their Greek Orthodox Church, in their community and with their family where music and singing have played an important part. 

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Come Fly With Me
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

Come Fly With Me

Born in Washington State, Diana Aristides Bacas (nee Delimitros) has the best of three worlds and is equally at home in Madrid, Athens or Seattle.  She also believes that she is truly blessed to have lived in this particular timeframe of history, to have been born in Seattle, wanted and loved by her family and to have experienced an extraordinary and unique timeframe of aviation history.

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That Sounds Like Greek to Me
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

That Sounds Like Greek to Me

“THAT SOUNDS LIKE GREEK TO ME”

On his first day of school when Lazarus Stylianos Politakis was hit in the head with a baseball bat he cried out for help in his native tongue.  Someone said, “That sounds like Greek to me.”

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