Mrs. Meronie Costas

August 23, 1915 - July 2, 2012

Meronie Costas passed away at Santa Barbara Convalescent Hospital on July 2nd, 2012 at the age of 96. She was born in San Diego, California on August 23rd, 1915 to Greek immigrant parents. Born to Panagiota and Dimitri Demangos, she was the second eldest child in a family of eight Meronie was a graduate of San Diego High School and an accomplished seamstress. She often made her own patterns after sketching ideas from designs she saw in store windows. She was an active participant in Greek youth activities. At the age of 14 she started coming to Santa Barbara on vacations where she met her future husband, Pete. Seven years later, they married and moved to SB where Pete and Meronie managed the Golden State Café next to the Granada Theatre. Business was great due to all the activity and live events at the Granada, (Lana Turner and Jane Russell were frequent customers), and with all the servicemen in the area, the restaurant stayed open all night! They soon bought the restaurant, changed the name to "Pete's", and ran it until the mid-60s. On Saturday nights after closing the restaurant, Meronie and Pete would go to the El Paseo for the floor show and dancing. Meronie was active in the Greek Orthodox community of Santa Barbara. She was a proud member of the "Daughters of Penelope". Her famous hand-knit dresses were her trademark. She spent many happy hours knitting with her dear friend Loretto Link and began a new career working in Loretto's knit shop. Over the next 25 years, she worked at The Hughes, Theresa Ann and Robinson's, finally retiring in her mid-70s. Meronie was a loving and active participant in her children's and grand children's lives. She was the best cook and she was a lady, sweet and strong. Beloved mother, grandmother and aunt. Meronie is survived by her son Arthur (wife Berit), daughter Marina (husband Donald Ziemer) and grandchildren Dawn Sophia (husband Brett Larsen), Stephanie Ziemer, John Ziemer and Peter Costas (wife Lisa) great granddaughter Kamille Mei Costas. She is also survived by David Ziemer, Kristy Ziemer and Carrie Ziemer-Kleyn who considered her their Yia Yia and numerous nieces and nephews in southern and northern California. She was pre-deceased by her husband Peter, her granddaughter Kirsten and her brothers and sisters. Special thanks to the loving care provided by the staff at Santa Barbara Convalescent Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 1205 San Antonio Creek Rd., or the charity of your choice. Services will be Thursday, July 12th, 12:00 pm at the Santa Cemetery Chapel, 901 Channel Dr.