Afrodite Frieda Melonas Obituary (1926 - 2016)

Nothing can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ! Afrodite Frieda Xanthoulis Melonas, Christian, devoted wife, loving mother, and caring grandmother passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on the morning of July 5, 2016 at the age of 90. A woman of incredible strength and will, she touched those around her with her caring voice, loving heart, and gentle soul. Born February 21, 1926 in the small mountain village of Smokov, Greece, she learned quickly to face the challenges of life head-on through hard work, sacrifice, and determination. Before she was 21 years old, she had struggled and lived through a great depression, a world war, and a civil war. On January 2, 1949 she married Pete Melonas in Athens who brought her to the United States where they first settled in Murray, Utah and then eventually in Highland, Utah. They remained married for 62 years until Pete's death in 2011. They raised six beautiful children together in a traditional Greek atmosphere. She was always cooking that great Greek food and taking care of all the needs of her children, wanting the best for them. Memories of her maintaining a manicured house, helping with farm chores, keeping us kids all in line, making sure dad was fed when he came home from work, and finding time to knit all those incredible afghans will always be cherished. Easter was always a great event at home when she would make all those colored eggs so we could celebrate the Risen Christ! She is survived by her children: John (Irene), Gust, Anastasia, and Jason (Mary Kay) as well as eight grandchildren: Dmitri, Mace, Nikko, Alex, Jenny, David, Anna, and Laurisa. She was preceded in death by her husband Pete, and her sons Peter and Milton. Even though age brings with it pains and challenges, Afrodite faced it with the same determination she had as a young woman in a world torn by war: with hard work, courage, and faith – knowing in the end God is ultimately in control, calling you back home in His timing, into His loving arms, where there is no more pain and suffering. Funeral services will be held on Saturday July 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 5335 S Highland Dr, Holladay, UT. Friends and family may call at the church for the viewing planned one hour prior to the services. Interment will follow at Elysian Gardens Cemetery, 1075 East 4580 South. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095