Anastasia Manis - Obituary

nastasia Characklis Manis of Annapolis, known affectionately to many as Yiayia, died unexpectedly on February 1 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. She was 81 years old. Born in Charlottesville, VA in 1932 to Artemis and Gregory Characklis, Anastasia was raised in Annapolis and graduated from Annapolis High School and Fleet Secretarial School. She worked at the United States Naval Academy as a secretary and in sales at Monica Stephens dress shop. She was later employed at the Annapolis General Assembly as a Legislative Aide to the Prince George’s County Delegation. Anastasia was an active member of Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, serving as past president of the Agia Anna Philoptochos and singing in the church choir for many years. Known for her fierce loyalty to her friends and profound love for her family, Anastasia enjoyed reading, traveling and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. A devoted wife and mother, she volunteered for various local community organizations throughout the years. Anastasia was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, William G. Characklis. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, George Manis; her daughter Harriet (Brian) Adam; her son, Nick (Stacey) Manis; five grandchildren, Jessica, Anastasia and Elizabeth Adam, Michele and George Nicholas Manis and her sister, Joyce Zanetakos of Annapolis. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 6th at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd, Annapolis. Interment St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cemetery in Annapolis. A celebration of Anastasia’s life will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anastasia Manis’ name to support the University of Maryland's Division of Transplantation. Please make checks payable to, University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation (UMBF, Inc.), University of MD Development Office, attn: K.Hussey, 31 S. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201 or visit www.fundformedicine.org and select Fund For Medicine/Other area/Transplant Division. An online guestbook is available by clicking the link on this page.