The Life of Rhea S Kardas

Rhea Stephano Kardas, 90, died at her home on Oct 7.

  Rhea was born in Ioannina, Greece on Feb 2, 1931 to Panagiotis and Olga Poutetsi Stephano.   At the age of 7, Rhea sailed to NY with her family on the Saturnia. The family settled in Elkins Park.  Her father was a manager of the Stephano Brothers Cigarette Factory in Philadelphia.

  Upon graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1949, Rhea married her true love, Ernest Kardas.  They shared 64 years together and raised 3 children.

  Rhea Kardas was wholehearted in her desire to care for and nurture her family.  It was her mission in life and she did it well. From a baby’s first kick inside the womb to holding her husband’s hand through his last dying breath, she embraced every aspect of family life and loving those around her.  She lived a full life replete with love, family, friends, many good laughs and songs.

  Rhea will lovingly be remembered for her kindness, spirituality, generosity, humor, wonderful entertaining and storytelling and as the family historian.  She was a member of St Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church and had served on the first Cookbook Committee of the Lady’s Auxiliary.

  She will be sorely missed.

  Preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, and their beloved daughter, Temi, Rhea leaves her daughter, Alethea, son, Peter, grandchildren Jerry (and wife, Maria) Skefos and Katrina (and husband, Tim) Matthews and two great grandchildren, Judah and Zoe Matthews.

  Services will be private with internment at Arlington Cemetery.

  In lieu of flowers, it was Rhea’s desire that any donations in her memory be made to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 555 Long Wharf Rd, New Haven, CT 06511.