Lorane Stephanos
Lorane Stephanos
January 30, 1934 – November 20, 2024
Resident of Lafayette, CA
Lorane Stephanos, born Lambrini Papalambros, to Pericles
and Georgia (née Petropoulos) Papalambros, on January
30, 1934 in Kalamata, Greece and raised in her
beloved Petalidi. Known to many as Yiayia, Pethera,
Mamasita, Mama Stephanos and Greek Mama, just to
name a few, went on her final journey home in the morning
of November 20, 2024.
Lorane’s life was filled with joy, sorrow, adventure, and
everything in between. She lost her mother as an infant,
and was wet nursed by village women. At the age of two
her father remarried. Within the next several years, she
became the eldest of four. Around the age of 10, World
War II greatly impacted Greece and Lorane was removed
from school to help care for her siblings, and work the
land to help provide family support. At the same time,
she had to work tirelessly to assure that her father was
kept safely away from the German regime. Although her
formal education was cut short, her education coming
from life’s experiences was vast.
She immigrated on the Nea Hellas in 1952 at the age of
18, traveling alone into an unknown situation. Initially
staying with an aunt in Wyoming, Lorane quickly realized
she missed the sea. She soon travelled to San Francisco
and forged her new life while staying with her uncle and
his family. Lorane quickly found her people within the
local Greek community. She became a member of Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, joined the choir and
through it, found comfort. Lorane enrolled in night
school to learn the English language and to gain her U.S.
citizenship. She then went on to work at White Stagg as a
seamstress. In 1953 she was introduced to Steve
Stephanos, who she married the following year. Settling
in El Cerrito, they were soon a family of six.
Lorane’s life was guided by Greek tradition and her
deep Greek Orthodox faith. The term philotimo was not
lost on her. She had a deep love for family, country, society,
and the greater good. Her door was always open
and she never met a person she didn’t try to feed. It was
clear to all, her love language was food.
Later in life, Lorane’s greatest joy came from her grandchildren.
Making sure they understood the importance of
their heritage, faith, and love of family. As her family
grew, she was honored with the distinction of Yiayia to
all of the extended Hayes Family.
Lorane is predeceased by her husband, parents, step
mother, and many beloved friends and relatives. She is
survived by her children, Marika Stephanos (Robert
Tippey), Adriane Stephanos, Evlambia “Bia” (Steve)
Stephanos-Hayes, Prodromos “Maki” (Michelle)
Stephanos, her grandchildren Liam and Ian Hayes, Larkin
Stephanos, as well as her siblings, and extended family
and friends, both in the U.S. and Greece. She will be
greatly missed.
Trisagion service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday December
8, 2024 and funeral services at 11:00am on Monday
December 9, 2024, at Ascension Greek Orthodox
Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA. Internment
will be at the Petalidi Cemetery, in Messina,
Peloponnese, Greece.