Stephanie Bellas

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother Stephanie Manthou Bellas (Theophania) on July 21, 2025.  Stephanie was a model of bravery since her early life. She lost both her parents by the age of 9 and had to be very courageous to live in a time of great turmoil in Katerini, Greece.  She was born in Katerini in 1932 to Athanasios and Euthimia Manthos. She was raised by a family friend, Anastasia Lanara whom she called Mom. She fell in love with Vasil Louis Bellas when he went to visit his relatives in Greece. They married in 1952 in Greece and then came to the United States.

She was Maia/Mouma to her grandchildren and Yiayia Megali to her great grandchildren.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and was an example of how hard work, love of life and the importance of family being the center of her life was.

Stephanie came to the United States only speaking Greek but learned both English and Vlahika accomplishing the mastery of speaking three languages.  She was a working mother with four children but yet managed to always serve her family home cooked meals and keep a tidy home. She was a talented sewer, knitter and crocheter.  

While working at Perkin Elmer, she was able to work on the Hubble Telescope.  She also went to night school to obtain her GED. While living her busy lifestyle, she was always a welcoming host to the many friends and relatives who visited her.  She was also a dancer extraordinaire, especially while dancing the Hasapiko. She taught the youth in both churches the traditional Greek folk dances. In fact, she lived such a remarkable life that she ended up on the front page of the Connecticut Post in an article entitled “Call her education odyssey Homeric.”

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Vasil Louis Bellas, her brother Thomas Manthos, and her Son-in-law, Gary R. Elf.  She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marina Manthos, daughter Elaine (Dave) Osowski, her daughter Linda Bellas Elf, her daughter Gale J. Papageorge (John), her son, William Bellas (Connie) and her eight grandchildren and her six great grandchildren. Nephew Sakis Manthos (Di), niece Stella Moses (Sean) from Melbourne, Australia. Nephew Christy Bellas, nephew Lewis Bellas (Penny), nephew Michael Bellas, (Dawn), nephew Thomas Bicki (Nora), nephew Brian Bicki (Doreen) and niece Donna Laithy (Hatem).  She was a dedicated member of St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church volunteering her services in many areas of the parishes.

May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Calling hours will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 10:00-11:00 am, directly followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. with the Rev. Father George M. Coca officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 1530 Bronson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations in her memory be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT, and/or  St Dimitrie Orthodox Church, Easton, CT.

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