Dorothea Grivas Vasil

April 15, 1938 – March 11, 2021

On the evening of March 11, 2021, in Saratoga, CA, Dorothea “Dolly” Grivas Vasil, beloved mother, grandmother, sibling, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully shortly after a visit by close family. She is finally at rest after enduring a tough battle with cancer and complications following surgery. While we will miss Mom deeply, we find solace in knowing that she is no longer suffering and is now reunited with our father.

Dorothea was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 43 years, John G. Vasil, and is survived by her daughters Caterina Vasil Peterson (Don) of Los Gatos, California, Joanna Vasil Giargiari (Robert) of Zephyr Cove, Nevada, and son Nikos Kolyvas (Anna) of Ithaca, Greece; her grandchildren, Annalise Dienstbier, Alexandra Dienstbier, Gabriella Peterson, Gianna Peterson and Dora Kolyvas; and siblings Coralia Grivas Ioannou (Yanni) and Dionisios Grivas (Maro). She also leaves behind loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends here and abroad who played meaningful roles in her life.

Born in Ithaca, Greece to John and Hytho Grivas, Dorothea was raised on the island together with her sister Coralia and brother Dionisios. Dorothea met the love of her life, John G. Vasil, in storybook fashion, during a visit to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1963. After a head-over-heels introduction through mutual friends, the two left for San Francisco and were married six weeks later, marking the beginning of a wondrous romance spanning over four decades. Throughout her life Dorothea had deep compassion and love for family and friends, and found special joy in the time spent with her five granddaughters. She will be remembered for her zest for life, a magnetic personality and contagious smile that would light up a room and draw others to her effortlessly. Dorothea gave her time generously through volunteerism and charitable work, which included more than 20 years at Peninsula Volunteers. Her love of travel never waned, and she spent nearly every summer visiting her beloved birthplace of Ithaca, Greece.

A private service will be held at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 10:30am-11:30am. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service is limited to family. The ceremony will be streamed live on Mom’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook. com/dorothea.vasil

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dorothea’s amazing life may donate in her memory to:

Peninsula Volunteers: 800 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Cancer CAREpoint: 2505 Samaritan Drive, Building 400, Suite 402, San Jose, CA 95124

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church: 900 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002

To our beloved Mom and Nona, you will live forever in our hearts. Until we meet again.