Fotini ""Tula"" Maniatis

Tula Maniatis, 83, of Denver, fell asleep in the Lord on August 20, 2016. Tula grew up in the small Greek village Kakouri, where she lived with her 4 sisters, and 2 brothers. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1951 to Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was there that she met Pete Maniatis, and they later wed in 1954. They were happily married for 62 years. Tula devoted her life to the Church where she encouraged and accompanied her friends and family in both faith and love. She spent countless hours at Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Denver and Holy Trinity in Orlando - cooking for the Greek Festivals, creating fantastic displays for Tables Extraordinaire, and helping out any way that she saw fit if it meant solidifying the mission of the Church. Tula was devoted to the Philoptochos Ladies Society, where she served as Treasurer, President and Board member. She was also a member of the Philoptochos Diocesan Board. In 2002, Pete and Tula built St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Pikerni. They resurrected the church that was destroyed by the Ottoman Empire after Pete had a dream about building it for months. Both Pete and Tula were able to go to the Church's consecration surrounded by their family. Tula worked for 20 years as a Teacher's Aid for Denver Public Schools. She was at her happiest behind a sewing machine where she created clothes, blankets, toys, and other trinkets that she would contently give away to others. She was also a master craftswoman, brilliant chef, and gardener. She was a rock in so many individuals' lives; to say Tula was an inspiring woman, wife, mother, and grandmother would be an understatement. She was a wonderful person to look up to during the 83 years of her life. She wanted nothing more than for her family and closest friends to be happy, healthy, and live fulfilling lives. She taught everyone about the meaning of life, prayer, and love; to cherish God, treat others with respect, and to find the happiness within oneself. She is survived by her beloved husband, Pete Maniatis; children Dean (Lee) Maniatis and Maria (Costa) Alavezos; grandchildren Peter Constantine Matthew (Theresa Joux Neisen) Maniatis, James Andrew Bridger Maniatis, Luke Christian John Maniatis, Evyenia Fotini Alavezos, and Marcie Paula Alavezos; siblings Litsa Hronopoulos and Maria Stathi; and many other loving family members and friends. A Trisagion will be held in Tula's memory on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 7:00PM at the Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80246. Funeral Service Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 10:00 AM, also at the Assumption Cathedral. Internment will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Everyone is then invited to join the family for the Makaria meal in the Cathedral's Annunciation Room. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Philoptochos Ladies Society of the Assumption Cathedral ""Good Works Fund."" Please share memories and condolences with the family below.