Matina Ziamandanis

Ziamandanis, Matina G. – Matina "Tina" Ziamandanis, 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 8, 2015, after a courageous battle with lung cancer surrounded by her three children.

Matina was born on March 6, 1933 in Troy, NY to the late Peter G. Giftos, where she grew up with her two beloved sisters, Anastasia "Tacy" (the late James) Tunny and the late Barbara "Bobbie" (Gus) Ermides. At the age of 12, they moved to Western Avenue in Albany where she met the love of her life, John Ziamandanis, who was 14. After graduating from Albany High School in 1950, Tina and John married on June 22, 1952 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany. They began their life together as husband and wife in Washington, DC where Tina worked at Geico Insurance while John attended George Washington University. In 1959, they settled in Schenectady where they began to raise their family. Tina was a devoted and dedicated wife to her husband and mother to her children, Jay, Peter and Niki. She was an exemplary homemaker who enjoyed cooking and hosting holiday dinners for her extended families. She was very active and supportive in her husband's and children's activities. Tina was a fan of the NFL and would spend her Sunday's watching football cheering on her favorite team, the Miami Dolphins. She was an avid Frank Sinatra fan, seeing him in concert numerous times and a collector of his souvenirs. Once her children were older, she worked at the Schenectady Department of Social Services.
In 1991, Tina and John started spending their winters in Cocoa Beach, FL. There Tina liked to spend her time at the beach and dining and shopping with John. In 2000, they moved back to Albany, where it all began, for their golden years. Tina spent two weeks every year in York Beach, ME with her two sisters where they shared much laughter and happiness while making loving memories.
Matina was predeceased by her beloved husband, John; her cherished sister, Barbara; and her devoted father, Peter Giftos. She is survived by her three children, James Ziamandanis (Dana), Peter Ziamandanis (Maria) and Niki Bladel (Robert), her grandchildren, Niki Tebbano (James), Leah Ziamandanis; Peter and John Bladel; John, Michael and Matina Ziamandanis; her two great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Matthew Tebbano; her sister, Tacy; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many loving family and friends.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate love and care that was given to Tina by Karen Cleary and her husband Dave. Their devotion to Tina and John over the past several years helped make their lives much more comfortable, as did Tina's two aides, Laurie and Alicia, during Tina's last weeks at home.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany. The family will receive visitors from 4 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at the New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie with a Trisagion Service at 7:30 pm. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albany. Donations in Tina's memory may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany, NY 12208.