Dina C. Kelesis

Dina "Constantina" Kelesis, a 60-year resident of Las Vegas passed away peacefully April 5, 2014, at the age of 87. She was born in Levidi, Greece, Sept. 18, 1926. Dina and her young daughter, Paula, came to Las Vegas in 1954 to join her husband, who had already emigrated to Las Vegas in 1951. She loved her Hellenic heritage and she loved America her new home. She and Paula became American citizens Sept. 24, 1959, an accomplishment of which she took great pride. Her two younger sons, George and Mike were born in Las Vegas. Dina worked hard many years alongside her husband to establish and maintain their restaurant business and became a part of the community. Both White Cross Drug and Decatur Drug restaurants became Las Vegas dining landmarks for locals and worldwide travelers as a result of this amazing team. She was a founding member of the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church and worked tirelessly many years to help foster the Greek community in Las Vegas. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and gave so much to those who loved her. Her home was always open to all. She was a master of Greek cooking and loved to share this talent with anyone who came to visit. It was very important to her that no one ever left hungry. She was a true friend, confidante and could be counted on for her compassion and wry sense of humor. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten by those whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her husband, of 59 years, Pete; her sister, Carol Pappas; and her brother, Peter G. Tsouras. She is survived by her daughter, Paula; and her sons, George and Michael, all from Las Vegas; three grandchildren, Maritza, Peter and Sara. She is also survived by her sister, Evyenia Dalacas of Las Vegas; and special nephews and nieces, Yani and Vickie, Harry and Johnny, Dimitri and Eleni, Georgia and Christo, Christina and Jim, and Christian and Peter; as well as many other family and friends. Viewing will be 5-6 p.m. Thursday, April 10, with the Trisago to follow. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, all at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 S. El Camino Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in the name of Dina Kelesis to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

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