Cecilia L. Kourtis

Cecilia Logas Kourtis, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on October 30, 2026 in Torrance, California with her family at her side. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend to many and will be deeply missed.

A true adventurer, Cecilia blazed a trail that led her through a career in retailing, finding love and adventure in 1950s Greece, marrying her husband Costa and raising a family, and running her own business. Along the way, she found joy in extensive US and European travel, then bravely picked up and moved to Long Beach, California to be near her children and grandchildren, who share memories of the best times with their beloved Yiayia.

Born on July 7, 1931 in Wausau, Wisconsin, Cecilia was the youngest of six children to Greek immigrants Philip and Stella Logas. The family was Greek Orthodox, but they attended an Episcopal church since there was not a Greek Orthodox church in Wausau, and it was there that her faith and connection to community first developed.

After high school, Cecilia attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she graduated in 1953. She then set out for Simmons College in Boston where she graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Retail. Next came a career in Detroit, Michigan, where she worked at as a retail buyer at Hudson’s Department store. She always spoke very fondly about her years in Detroit, where she built a tight circle of friends who she remained close to throughout their lives. She also stayed close to family, taking many road trips in her little Volkswagen Beetle “Shultzie” to visit her sister, nieces, and nephew in the Washington DC area and down to Florida to visit her parents and siblings.

It was in Detroit at Hudson’s where she met two sisters from Greece and grew close to their family. Cecilia introduced one of the sisters, Sandy, to her brother Louie on one of her “Shultzie” road trips down to Florida. They married soon after, forging a life-long friendship and bond between families.

On one of her trips to Florida she met her future husband, Costa Kousoutzides (now Kourtis), who was visiting Daytona Beach while on an assignment with the Greek Navy. After a brief courtship, Cecilia joined Costa in Athens, Greece, where they married in 1961 followed by a honeymoon in Rhodes. They began the first few years of their life together in Greece while Costa finished his Navy commitment. Cecilia worked at the PX (the on-base retail exchange) and the couple bought a car, exploring Greece whenever they could get away.

In 1963, Costa and Cecilia moved to the Orlando, Florida area where they raised their children, Callie and George. Cecilia continued her career in retail in Florida until 1970 when George was born. In the mid-1980s she opened her sandwich and burger shop “Everybody’s Mom” in Orlando, serving up lunches and her famous carrot cake. In 1992, Costa’s job took them to Munich, Germany for three years where they had the opportunity to travel and spend time in Europe while reconnecting with family. They returned to the Orlando area in 1995 where their family and many friends from the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church community welcomed them back with open arms.

In 2005, Costa and Cecilia decided they needed to be closer to their children and grandchildren. It was hard to leave their friends and family behind, but they moved to Long Beach, California, and Cecilia, then in her 70s, took on the change with great courage. She became involved in the Greek community through the Greek Orthodox church there and made many new friends. She and Costa enjoyed spending holidays and family events together and were very involved in their granddaughters’ lives.

Cecilia is survived by her husband, Costa Kourtis, children Callie and George, and granddaughters Vasiliki (Vasi) and Stephanie.

Services are as follows:

Trisagion – Wednesday, November 18, 2026 - 7:00 pm
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary- Long Beach, CA

Reception to follow in the Betty Reckas Hall

Funeral – Thursday, November 19th, 2026 – 10:30 am
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary- Long Beach, CA

Makaria Lunch to follow in the Betty Reckas Hall

Interment – 2:00pm Rose Hills Memorial Park
3888 Workman Mill Rd
Whittier, CA 90601
United States

May her memory be eternal.