Sophia Kretsedemas age 91, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, June 1, 2026 in Flagstaff, Arizona. She was born on October 3, 1934 in her hometown of Gargalaini, Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece to her loving parents, the late Plato and Efthymia Vassiliou. As a young girl, Sophia spent her days helping harvest olives and grapes alongside her dad, attending school, and growing her faith attending the Nativity of the Theotokos (Agios Panagia) Church in her hometown. In 1961 at the age of 27, alone and with one suitcase, Sophia immigrated to the United States. She landed in New York City and later settled with her aunt and uncle in Albuquerque, NM.

In the Fall of 1961, Sophia traveled to Winslow, AZ and met George Kretsedemas.  They were married on February 11, 1962, at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Albuquerque, NM. George and Sophia lived in Winslow, AZ for 42 years and raised five children. During this time, Sophia embraced her love of baking, cooking and gardening.  She loved sharing her Greek cookies during Christmas with the Winslow community. Many people from Winslow still talk about her delicious cookies to this day. Her talents weren't only in the kitchen. She also enjoyed gardening where she grew delicious fruits, vegetables, spices and beautiful flowers. Her gardens were legendary. Sophia was also a gifted seamstress who found joy in creating beautiful clothing and blankets. As her children grew, Sophia joined her husband working at the Falcon Restaurant. They retired to Mesa, AZ in 2004, meeting new friends, becoming long time members of Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler, AZ and spoiling their grandchildren. In 2018, after the passing of her husband of 56 years, Sophia moved to Flagstaff. Even during her final days, she continued to cook, bake, enjoy her gardening and was a faithful member of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

Sophia is survived by her children Nicholas Kretsedemas (Marie) of San Tan Valley, AZ; Tina St. Cyr of Brighton, CO; Effie Shoffner (Scott) of Beaverton, MI; Plato Kretsedemas of Flagstaff, AZ and Georgia Padilla (Darrell) of Flagstaff, AZ; one sister Polyxeni Tsoulos of Gold Coast, Queensland; Sisters-in-law Tammy Kretsedemas of Flagstaff, AZ, Enid Benstead of  Marietta, GA and Dionisia Vassiliou of Riverside, CA; 10 grandchildren Timothy, Brittany (Cameron), Daniel, Stephen (Rupa), LexieMarie (Bryce), Theodore, Krystyna, Jonathan, Sophia and Alexandra; two great-grandchildren Colton and Maren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George Kretsedemas; her parents, Plato and Efthymia; brothers Akylas, Aggelis and John,  Vassiliou; Brothers-in-law Jim, Pete and Alexander Kretsedemas; Sister-in-law Katherine Kretsedemas; Son-in-law Christopher St. Cyr

A viewing will be on Friday, June 12 at 6:00 p.m. with Trisagion service starting at 7:00 at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 Historic Rt 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Funeral service will be held on Saturday June 13 at 10:00 a.m at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 6134 Black Bill Rd. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 followed by interment at Citizen Cemetery in Flagstaff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2164 Flagstaff, AZ 86003.