Marianthi "Marilyn" Vasseliou

Marianthi Vasseliou, of Livonia (Formerly Marilyn Green of Hamtramck), passed away peacefully on October 10 at home surrounded by her family. Loving wife of Athanasius Vasseliou for 47 years. Mother of seven: John, Joseph and James Gorelski, and Maria, Panayota (Trish), Thomas (Ponce), and David Vasseliou. Marianthi had eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was survived by her sister Genevieve Wheeler, five nephews and dozens of relatives. Preceded in death by her mother and father Mary and Nick Green, and her brother, Nick Green. In 1960, Marianthi was named Dream Queen of the State of Michigan and became the pride of her hometown of Hamtramck. As a result of this honor, she threw out the first basketball at a Piston's game as Wilt Chamberlain towered over her, the first puck for a Red Wings game, and tossed the coin into the air for the Lions. She remained a hardcore Tigers fan her entire life. After her brief stint as a beauty queen she turned her attention to her primary and lifelong role as a devoted wife, mother and caregiver, not only caring for her own seven children, but also many short and long-term guests over the years. Throughout the 70's she assisted her husband Athanasius in the running of The Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church. In 1988, she went back to work, helping care for and serve the elderly at Woodhaven Assisted Living in Livonia for the next 25 years. She was a parishioner of St. Irene of Chrysovalantou Orthodox Church. Marianthi was loving, caring, fun and artistic. She was an outstanding cook, specializing in making Greek and Polish food. She loved her morning coffee and reading the Detroit Free Press. Her family misses her dearly. She touched many lives deeply. A viewing will be held for family and friends at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia on Monday, October 12 from 2-9. Funeral Services will be held the following day at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Parkview Cemetery in Livonia. Please share a memory of Marilyn by signing her guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154