Helen Kosmopulos Loris

Helen Kosmopulos Loris was born in Marysville, California, on March 7, 1932, to her Greek immigrant parents, Helen Basilicopoulos and Samuel Kosmopulos. Within hours after Helen’s much anticipated birth, her mother passed away, leaving Samuel with his newborn daughter.

Helen was raised by a warm-hearted Greek immigrant family in Yuba City, in close association with her doting father, Samuel. Helen’s father passed away in 1944 when she was 12 years old.

Despite these hardships, Helen continued to excel in school. She was a member of the Junior Red Cross, Glee Club, Drama Club, and was a Senior Class Officer. After graduating from high school at age 18, Helen attended college to become a legal secretary. She lived initially with her godparents’ family and later independently, working in her new role at a time when most women lived at home before marriage.

Helen met her future husband, Peter Loris, at a dance at the Greek Orthodox Church in Marysville. They were married in 1954 in Sacramento, at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. They raised their two daughters and both worked to provide a loving and nurturing home for them.

Despite the fact that Helen did not have a mother, she seemed to know instinctively how to be an utterly amazing mother and friend. Over the years, Helen and Peter’s modest home was headquarters for numerous sleepovers, parties and any spontaneous events that would unfold. For this, their daughters, Gael and Pamela, are forever grateful. In addition, over the years, Helen and Peter were “parents” to a menagerie of dogs, cats, and other creatures. Rarely was their home without a furry family member, some of which were adopted as strays.

Helen continued to work outside the home during much of her daughters’ childhood, balancing motherhood, marriage and household activities. Helen managed to carve out time for playing bridge, her passion. Helen’s “bridge mates” became lifelong friends, which included those in two different groups, her Greek and “non-Greek” pals.

After Helen and Peter’s daughters completed their university studies, Helen and Peter began to travel. They visited parts of California, the “fall colors” on the East Coast, as well as New York City. Helen continued working for a number of years as a Sacramento County Superior Court Clerk, retiring in the 1990’s from a management position.

Becoming grandparents was another joy for Helen and Peter. Family has been the most meaningful priority for both of them and they cherished their new and expanding roles as Yiayia and Papou. After Peter’s untimely death in 2007, Helen continued to enjoy being a Yiayia, as well as being an even more adventurous traveler. With her bridge friends, she went to various locales in the United States. With her daughter and husband, she joyfully went on two cruises, visiting Italy, Croatia, Greece, as well as Alaska. Always continuing to play bridge, even on the ships, Helen made new friends, dazzling them with her talents in bridge.

Helen’s life journey was that of a survivor, including being orphaned, having breast cancer, a handful of other surgeries, and later, heart failure. No matter what deck of cards Helen was dealt, she accepted life “the way it is” and continued her positive, “glass half full” perspective that has encouraged many of us. Helen lived a rich life and is loved beyond words.

Helen is survived by daughters, Gael Loris (Dan Marrah) and Pamela Loris Irion (Bruce Irion); by grandchildren, Jeff Irion (Bobbie Benavides), Elizabeth Irion Arruda (Isaac Arruda), Samantha Marrah (Sebastian Ellis), Andrea Irion Polidori (Brian Polidori), and Stephen Irion; by great-grandchildren, Jacob, Axel, Micah, Quinn, Kaia, and Avery, as well as by dear family and friends spanning several generations.

Her buoyancy, witty sense of humor, work ethic, friendship, and innate wisdom only begin to describe our remarkable, beloved Helen.

Recently Helen was asked what advice she could share on a billboard for others. After some contemplation, she stated, “Follow your heart…Do what you want to do…Enjoy doing it. And, be kind. No regrets.”

Helen, whose name means “light,” continues to shine bright as a blessing to her family and friends. She is missed every day.

Donations in Helen’s name may be made to:

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
www.annunciationsac.org (916-443-2033)

Direct Relief
www.directrelief.org (805-964-4767)

Humane World for Animals
www.humaneworld.org/ (866-720-2676)

Sacramento Children’s Home
www.kidshome.org (916-452-3981)

Shriners Hospitals for Children
www.shrinerschildrens.org (855-401-4897)

World Central Kitchen Incorporated
www.wck.org (202-844-6330)