Virginia Kallins
May 21, 1932 — November 1, 2025
It is with sadness yet with hope in the Resurrection that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Mrs. Virginia Kallins, of Downey, California, who reposed in the Lord on November 1, 2025. She lived to enjoy many years with her family, including 68 years with her husband, Dr. James Kallins. There’s was a life of adventure, accomplishments, adversity, and resilience.
“Virginia was one of the most positive people I have ever met. Regardless of the circumstances, she remained faithful and saw everything as an opportunity for growth,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to be the best wife and mother, and later the best Yiayia to her grandchildren. She truly had a heart that gave unconditionally, and it brought her great joy to provide for the needs of others and especially the church. I know her beloved husband, Dr. James, having just recently celebrated his 101st birthday, is especially grieving her passing along with her children Barbara and Dr. George and their families. The Lord has welcomed Virginia into his arms and she is in a beautiful place of rest that she earned throughout her life of faithful service to the church.”
The Metropolis honored Dr. James and Virginia Kallins with the Theofanis Economidis Award for Extraordinary Leadership in 2018, as just one example of the depth of their dedication to fostering the growth and development of our Metropolis ministries.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos will preside at the services for Virginia, all to be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90241.
Trisagion – Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral: Friday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m.
All are invited to the Makaria following the funeral at the church hall.
Interment: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier
May her memory be eternal!
Obituary
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” –Psalm 23:6
Virginia Kallins passed away on November 1, 2025 at the age of 93 surrounded by her family, friends and her beloved soulmate of Dr. James G. Kallins. They were married for 68 years.
Virginia was born in the south side of Chicago to Angeliki (Kastranta) & Paul Lambropoulos. When Virginia was 5 years old, her father died (1937) of lung carcinoma. Her younger brother also died of dysentery (milk poisoning) at the age of 5 as they were struggling during the depression.
At that time, Virginia's mother did not speak English and Virginia and her mother went out knocking on doors, so her mother, a Greek immigrant from Tripoli, could find odd jobs as a seamstress in order to survive. God eventually brought Virginia a new step father, when her mother remarried to a wonderful, caring man, Mr. Nicholas Manos from Gargalianous Greece.
Virginia graduated from the University of Chicago with a Masters degree in education. She taught elementary school for approximately five years until she met the love of her life Dr James J. Kallins, a penniless doctor who had just immigrated from Greece to complete a medical residency at the university of Chicago in obstetrics and gynecology.
They were married in 1957 after Dr. James finished his residency. After their wedding, they immediately traveled to California. There, they established residence in Bellflower where Dr. James worked for a couple of years in a medical practice until he opened his own in 1959. At that point in time, Virginia lost her mother, age 59 to a cerebral hemorrhage and her stepfather passed in 1964 to pneumonia.
Virginia worked very hard along Dr. James side as his office manager for many years. They bought a little starter house in Bellflower where they lived for six years until they bought a large fixer-upper in Downey, California. Since the house was big enough. Virginia not only worked with Dr. James, she took care of the business, the house, and the children that came along, and also found herself hosting and helping extended family.
Virginia for many years, hosted her husband Dr. James's family from Greece, his sister & brother-in-law Vasiliki & George Bournias (also known as "Μπάρμπα Γιώργη") who have now predeceased her, and his nieces, Litsa (& Demo Vardiabasis) & Dimitra (& Makis Fotinatos). A few years later she hosted his brother, Marinos (and Panayiota) Kallinteris with his nieces, Mary (and Niko Politis) and Georgia (& Frank Fotinatos, a blessed memory.) Marinos & Panagiota however, did not stay as did the others, and eventually went back to Greece leaving their girls here to obtain an education.
Virginia (& Dr. James) made everyone feel like part of the family, and worked hard to help them all find jobs, provide them with an education and get them on their own journey through life.
The work however did not end here for Virginia. She hosted many late-night guests that her husband would bring home from work unexpectedly. She organized fundraisers that Dr James committed to to help the Greek school, the Arcadians, the Greek library, Kids n Cancer, the churches, the Hellenic medical Society, the Greek Memorial foundation, the GOYA and Young Adults of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral to name a few, in order that they may raise money and grow.
Virginia could never say no to her beloved husband, and would always be by his side to help him accomplish his every task he committed to even if it meant, doing it by herself. Notwithstanding, Virginia did believe in these causes herself. Virginia and Dr. Jim were committed to each other ... they supported each other and many times their beliefs coincided.
The Greek Orthodox religion, the culture and the language were very important to Virginia and Dr. James. They fought to promote and maintain the clubs and institutions that kept these ideals alive so that generations to come will not abandon them.
She was the silent partner who barely received any recognition for the hard work that expended.
Virginia loved cooking and baking but had no real hobbies as she had no time. The time she would've spent at any Club, golf course or bridge club was actually spent helping her husband in his office and assisting him with making investments so they can survive and raise their family. Virginia did not live lavishly, nor did she wear expensive clothes or drive expensive cars. She was a humble and spiritual human being. Instead of spending her money on herself, she would spend it for philanthropic causes.
As hard-working as she was Virginia never left her smile droop from her face. No matter how tired, sick, exhausted, or upset she was she would never show it. One would have to pry it out of her to find out how she really felt. Virginia never had a bad word for anyone. She always found the good in people and was never one to gossip. If anybody needed help, Virginia was there. She always had a kind heart and was a very giving and generous person. She would even pick up stray cats from the street and feed them because she felt sorry for them.
Virginia had a special place in her heart for Christ and the Panagitsa. When things got tough, she would pray and her faith kept her going.
Virginia and James were blessed with three children.
Barbara (Kallins) Matty, George & Nicholas (a blessed memory), and with a wonderful son-in-law, David, son of Gus, a blessed memory, and Thelxe Matty of San Bernardino, California, and a beautiful daughter-in-law, Bettina, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Modesto Polydor of Toronto, Canada.
Unfortunately, Virginia's family losses had not quite ended. In 2000 Virginia & Dr. James tragically lost their beloved son Nicholas. The loss would never be forgotten, nor the pain completely healed, but the births of their grandchildren every couple of years allowed Virginia (& Dr. James) to slowly heal. Starting with Anastasia, Evgenia (Nia), Dimitri, Nicholas and Modesto (Eston) and the birth of her new nickname, "Yiayia Nia" Virginia (& Dr. James) again started to again wear a smile on their faces.
Virginia cherished her grandchildren and the time they spent together. She enjoyed every Easter & Christmas baking koulourakia and tsourekia with them - and even with the boys who chipped in every so often. Every Easter, the boys would help with the lamb and Virginia would be out there, handing them spices as these holidays were all family affairs. Virginia, enjoyed more than anything the joy, company and love of "a full house of people..." Having been brought up as an only child, Virginia had missed this in her childhood years. After marrying the love of her life, Dr. James, who now survives her after 68 years of marriage, she never had the need to feel lonely again.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Trisagion will be Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7 PM and her funeral will be Friday, November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Both services will be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, California. The burial will be at the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier following the Makaria luncheon at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers donation should be made to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, (Downey) Building Fund for restoration of the Community Center / Hall.
May her memory be eternal.