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Vasilia Costa
Born: 5/10/1938
Died: 5/6/2026
Age: 87
Community: Flint, MI
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Vasilia Costa, beloved wife, mother, Yiayia, Thea, and Nouna, of Flint, age 87 (four days short of her 88th birthday), peacefully passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Durand Senior Care and Rehab.
Funeral service will be held at 11am Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 2245 East Baldwin Road, Grand Blanc. Father Peter Bistolarides officiating.
Visitation will be held at 5-8pm Monday, May 11, 2026 with a Trisagion service at 7pm at Swartz Funeral Home,1225 West Hill Road, Flint and 10am Tuesday until the time of service at the church. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Grand Blanc.
Vasilia was born on May 10, 1938 to Ioannis and Ekaterini Karikis, in the small, whitewashed, mountain village of Psinthos, Rhodes, Greece. As a child, during World War 2, under occupation of German and Italian troops, she experienced firsthand the tragedy of war. Witnessing the suffering of hunger, illness, poverty, and death around her during that time, shaped the person she became for the rest of her life. She learned to want or need very little, led a simple life, and felt everything she had was a blessing.
In the summer of 1958, she was introduced to Kyriacos Costa, a young man from Cyprus who was visiting relatives nearby. They were soon engaged, and within a few weeks married at the Church of the Annunciation, in Rhodes. They started their life together in Flint, Michigan where Kyriacos had previously immigrated to in 1951, and together raised their three children.
While living in Flint, she was surrounded by a supportive Greek community, and developed close friendships with many people, which helped her transition to living in a country so far away from her parents, and the life she knew in the village. Over the years, she worked at a number of their restaurants, that were jointly owned with close cousins Nick and Anna Georgiou. The last one being Roadside Restaurant on Dort Highway in Grand Blanc.
Vasilia was a vital link in the Flint Greek ladies news chain, that could spread important news, both good and bad, from the old country to across the U.S. via telephone in a matter of minutes. She was an active member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, and the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She volunteered during the many Greek Festivals held at the church, helping prepare foods, and wiping off tables, which she also did most Sundays after fellowship/coffee hour.
Her devotion to her family was evident in everything she did. She prioritized doing things for others, before herself. As a mother, and grandmother, she always emphasized the value of education, the importance of treating all people as equals and lovingly, and feed as many people as you can. She was known by all that knew her as a wonderful cook, and baker. Neighbors and friends always looked forward to the holidays when they knew she would be making her kourabiedes with pecans, and koulourakia, and sharing with all. She remembered nearly everyone’s birthday, and would make it a point to give a quick call, to let you know she was thinking of you on your day. She also had a special way of being able to speak her mind, tell you her opinion without sounding critical or confrontational, but giving you loving advice, as she often did with Fr. Angelo Maggos.
In later years, despite failing physical health, and helpful neighbors, she could be seen out in the yard, raking leaves, picking up branches, shoveling snow, salting the walk, watering flowers so others didn’t have to. She will always be remembered as putting others needs before hers.
She is survived by her husband Kyriacos Costa, her children and spouses; Dino and Stephanie Costa, Kathy and Mike Clinton, John and Laura Costa, her grandchildren; Kyriacos, Stephen, Mary, Andrew and Skye, Leah, Rachel, Christina and Sean Lennox, and her great-grandchild Callahan Lennox. Also surviving is her sister Sevasti Michaelou, many loving nieces, nephews, god-children, and relatives in the U.S, Germany, Greece, and Cyprus.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ioannis and Ekaterini, her sister Maria, and her infant brother Dimitris.
Special thanks to all who helped care for her in the last year, and especially these last few months after her stroke. Especially grandson Stephen Costa, neighbors Tony and Dawn Cuevas, neighbors Liliana and Mike Haralambous, the staff at Henry Ford Genysys Hospital, Briarwood Nursing Home, and Durand Senior Care and Rehab.
Vasilia will be remembered for her kindness, devotion to her family, and the love she shared with all who knew her.
May Her Memory be Eternal.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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5/11/2026 |
| Time: |
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5:00 PM |
| Visitation will be held at 5-8pm Monday, May 11, 2026 with a Trisagion service at 7pm at Swartz Funeral Home,1225 West Hill Road, Flint and 10am Tuesday until the time of service at the church. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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5/12/2026 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
2245 East Baldwin Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Father Peter Bistolarides |
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