ANNE DRULIAS

Anne passed away from congestive heart failure at the age of 94. She was one of three daughters born in Chicago, Illinois, to George and Maria Anastasopoulos. Anne's father moved the family to Greece when she was a young girl, and the family lived in the village of Frixa. In 1940, Greece entered World War II battling Germany and eventually succumbing to the German forces. Those years were extremely difficult for the family, as Anne would often recall, she and her sisters would often have to hide in the hills and caves as word spread that the German soldiers were approaching. Following World War II Greece became involved in a brutal and bloody civil war against communist guerillas, and it was at this time when Anne's parents decided to send both she and her older sister Helen to the United States in search of a better life.

Anne and Helen left Greece on a boat in December 1947, and they arrived at Ellis Island in January 1948. The two sisters met relatives and stayed in Clinton, Massachusetts, for a few months before boarding a train bound for Fresno, California. It was in Fresno where they would live with Uncle Jim and Aunt Effie Chiames, cousins Paul and Sophie, and Uncle Tom Kyriacopoulos. Anne's uncles and aunt were wonderful and treated both girls like daughters. Anne lived in Fresno for six years, and during this time she learned the English language and took classes in bookkeeping.

Anne met her husband Chris Drulias, at a Greek dinner dance in Bakersfield, and in 1955 they were married. She and Chris had two sons, George and Tom.

Anne worked for a few years in the bookkeeping department of the S.A. Camp Company. Chris and Anne later went on to purchase Chris' Liquors, where Anne handled all of the bookkeeping duties for 37 years. They finally sold the liquor store in 2006.

Anne was a devoted member of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church for over sixty years. She was a long time member of the St. George Philoptochos women's society serving as both president and treasurer for several years. You could also find Anne working at the Greek Food Festival, usually selling tickets.

Anne loved being a wife and mother, she enjoyed hosting dinner parties during the holidays and other special occasions. She was also a loving grandmother and was extremely proud of her two granddaughters, Anastasia and Alexsia.