Evridiki "Kiki" Sebestyen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Evridiki "Kiki" Kathryn Sebestyen, 90, of Traverse City, passed away - as a consequence of a stroke in May - November 10, 2018 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions with family visiting and her husband, Thomas, by her side. Kiki was born on August 27 & "28", 1928 in Iron Mountain to the late Arthur and Penelope (Douis) Mitchell. (She wasn’t born at midnight, just a little later than expected.) Kiki attended Iron Mountain and Saginaw High Schools, Central Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, and Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan where she earned her Master’s degree in education. - Known to her students as “Miss Mitchell” (until 1978), she taught at Reese, Saginaw, Ypsilanti and primarily Garden City Public Schools, her favorite elementary grades, retiring in 1986. She helped shape the minds and hearts of thousands of young people over her career. On July 26 (civil), and October 7 (church), 1978 Kiki married the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” Menyhert Sebestyen in Ann Arbor. They have just celebrated their “80th” Anniversary. Kiki and Tom both have lived in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area since the early sixties, until 1988 when they moved with Tom’s job (relocated to Washington, DC) to Reston, VA. Kiki’s mother, Penelope, soon joined them and the three of them enjoyed good health and the greater Washington area. They also enjoyed together a wonderful trip to Greece in 1983. Kiki and Tom had delightful yearly summer vacations for decades, at Tom’s brother Steve’s cottage near Ottava, Canada, on Lake Rideau, where were often joined by other family members from around the world: Montreal; Saginaw; New York; Vienna, Austria; and most notably and regularly from various mid-Michigan cities over the years, by the growing family of daughter Kathy Fischer. The Fischers finally settled in Traverse City in early 2000, and Kiki, Penelope and Tom also moved here in June of that year, after Tom’s retirement. This idyllic routine was interrupted by Penelope’s passing at age 100 (also at the Pavilions), and finally terminated by Steve’s passing in 2010. Kiki and Tom had continued to very much relish the good life in beautiful Traverse City until Kiki was stricken. Kiki was a lifelong devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church and was one of the founding members of the Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church in Traverse City, Michigan. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Tom; step-daughter Kathryn (James) Fischer of Interlochen; grandchildren Aaron, Megan and Benjamin, and great grandchild Landon Fischer. Also sister Esmini (James) Zubulake of Bay City; nephew Aris Zubulake; niece Aretina (Jorge) Garza of Austin; and grandniece Georgina Garza. Cousins include Bessie (Raymond) Maltby of Indianapolis; Kiki Mouriki of Paxos, Greece; and many other dear cousins in the U.S. and Greece. Kiki was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home (305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI, 49684). The Trisagion prayers will be recited at 7 pm. With a short prior visitation, the Orthodox Christian Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church (1030 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI 49686). Father Ciprian Streza will lead the service of remembrance and prayers. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund and/or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and/or to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your condolences and memories with the family. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Evridiki "Kiki" Sebestyen

August 27, 1928 - November 10, 2018