VIVIAN S. BERENDJI 1939 - 2023

Beloved Wife, Mom, Sister and Yiayia. Vivian Berendji, 83, of Henderson, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2023. Vivian, a first generation American, was born in Chicago in 1939 to Peter Yiakis and Vasso Massia. She had one sibling, her older brother Joe, who she affectionately referred to simply as “Brother.” Vivian’s first language was Greek before learning English while in school. She attended Portage Park Grammar School, Carl Schurz High School and Wright Junior College all in Chicago. Vivian married her beloved husband Jim Berendji on March 4, 2006 at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Las Vegas. Vivian and Jim enjoyed living in Anthem Country Club and sipping Prosecco while watching the sun set from their backyard view of Las Vegas. She was a devoted mom to her two sons, Chuck and Joey, and a devoted and proud Yiayia to her five grandchildren. There was nothing on the planet that gave her more joy than her family. After moving to Las Vegas in 1971, Vivian worked as a travel coordinator for Bill Mcfee and Associates during the 70s, as a mass tort litigation coordinator for Folds and Associates in the 80s and as a human resource recruiter for Station Casinos from 1994 to 2009 when she retired. She was very proud to work for Station Casinos out of the Green Valley Ranch Hotel in Henderson. From the time Vivian moved to Las Vegas, she was heavily involved in the Greek Orthodox Church and Greek community serving as a Sunday School Teacher, member of the Philoptochos Society, volunteering at the annual Greek Food Festival and many other church activities. Her devotion to the Greek Orthodox Church and her many, many Greek friends from Chicago and Las Vegas were such an important part of her life. Although a lifelong Chicago sports fan, Vivian embraced her new-found favorite hockey team, the Vegas Golden Knights. Vivian is survived by her loving husband Jim Berendji; her son Chuck Esposito, his wife Connie and their children Colee (28), Lexi (26) and Nicolas (19); her son Joey Esposito, his wife Cara and their children D.J. (21) and Jio (18); her stepson Todd Berendji and his wife Lisa; her brother Joe Yiakis; and, her nephews Peter Yiakis and his wife Stacy and their children Kaylee (21) and Joe (18), and Alex Yiakis and his wife Carrie and their children Ben (16) and Sophie (13). Pallbearers will be Scott Buzz, Peter Yiakis, Alex Yiakis, D.J. Esposito, Nicolas Esposito and Jio Esposito. Visitation (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) and Trisagion (6:00 PM to 7:00 PM) will be held at Palm Eastern Mortuary on February 20, 2023. Funeral Services (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM) will be held at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church with the burial to follow at Palm Eastern Mortuary on February 21, 2023. The family of Vivian wishes to extend our sincerest thanks to all of the doctors and nurses at St. Rose Dominican Hospital – Siena Campus, the Henderson Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Center and Rev. Fr. John Hondros for their kindness to and caring treatment of Vivian. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vivian’s name to Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church at 5300 S. El Camino Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118 or online at https://www.vegasgreekorthodox. com/donate.