Pyra Asimakis Calligas

Pyra Asimakis Calligas passed away on March 30, 2015 in Shreveport. Visitation will be on Friday, April 3 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., followed by a Trisagion service at 7:00 p.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 4 at 3:00 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1719 Creswell Avenue in Shreveport with Reverend Father Ioannis Krokos, officiating. Pyra was born on July 23, 1918 in Fort Worth, Texas to Kyriakos (Charles) and Stavroula (Stella) Asimakis. She met her husband Lazaros "Louis" Calligas in 1939 in Fort Worth via a traditional Greek matchmaker. They were married in May of 1940 and moved to Tyler, Texas where they owned The Seafood Grill. They moved to Shreveport in 1955 when they opened The Seven Seas Restaurant on Youree Drive. Pyra was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was an active member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church since joining in 1948. Following her retirement in 1967 she enjoyed sewing clothes and making quilts, just like her mother had many years before. She loved welcoming friends and family to her home and delighted in sending them home with gifts of freshly cracked pecans and pears from her trees. Following her husband's passing in 1987 she enjoyed helping her son in his business and caring for her grandchildren. In 1999, she moved into a new independent living center where she quickly became known as "The Mayor". After suffering some health issues in 2010, she moved into NurseCare of Shreveport where she actively participated in activities and enjoyed reading to other residents. Pyra was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lazaros, parents Charles and Stella, brothers Harry Asimakis and Louis Asimakis, and nieces Stella Zemanek and Linda Hastings. She is survived by her son Gary and wife Tina; grandchildren Louis Michael Calligas and wife Catherine, Jason Patrick Calligas and wife Stacy, and Alexandra Michelle Calligas; and great granddaughters Isabel Georgia Calligas, Claire Elizabeth Calligas,, and Anne Marie Madeleine Calligas. She is also survived by sisters Mary Janavaris, Helen Yampanis, and Angel Pappas; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the professional staff at NurseCare of Shreveport for their many years of loving care and devotion to Pyra. The family also expresses their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Willis Knighton Health System and to the staff of Grace Home for the excellent care they provided. Pallbearers will be Dr. Jason Calligas, Greg Asimakis, Buddy Asimakis, Charles Pappas, Andrew Hardin, and Dr. Alan Little. Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Calligas and Jimmy Janavaris. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1719 Creswell, Shreveport, LA 71104.