Diane Anastasiades 1938-2025

Born March 16, 1938, in Youngstown, Diane was the beloved daughter of Stavros “Steve” Fentules, an immigrant from Rhodes, Greece, and Kyriakoula “Katherine” Mamounis, a lifelong resident of Youngstown.

Her proud Greek heritage and steadfast Orthodox Christian faith became guiding forces throughout her life. After graduating from East High School, Diane pursued her passion for music at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, earning a bachelor’s degree in piano performance. She continued her studies at The Juilliard School in New York under the renowned harpsichordist Fernando Valenti and later earned a master’s degree in harpsichord from the Cleveland Conservatory of Music.

Diane was especially admired for her interpretations of Domenico Scarlatti. For decades, Diane served as organist and choir director at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown. Her musical gifts and love for Byzantine hymnology enriched countless services, weddings, funerals and community celebrations.

After moving to Florida in 1984, Diane continued her ministry as director of the junior choir at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater and later as organist at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, where she served faithfully for more than 20 years. Her contributions to liturgies, youth choirs, conventions and the creation of extensive choir sheet music collections enriched generations of worshipers and clergy.

In 2003, Diane received the Patriarch Athenagoras I Medal from the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians in recognition of her lifetime dedication to sacred music and choir development within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. In 2021, she was again honored for her enduring contributions to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

Beyond her church service, Diane taught piano, harpsichord, violin and viola from her home studio for over 50 years, nurturing students of all ages. She also taught at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and Westminster College, mentoring many who went on to serve as professional musicians and educators. As a violist, she performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Pinellas Chamber Orchestra and Warren Chamber Orchestra, appearing in ballets, operas and chamber concerts.

Diane’s warmth extended beyond music into her family business, A. Anastasiades & Associates, where she was affectionately known as the “Main Office Manager” – or simply “MOM.” She welcomed every client with Greek or American coffee, koulourakia or a plate of olives and feta, making everyone feel like family. Her kindness and joyful hospitality were the heart of the office.

Diane was a passionate volunteer and cultural advocate, serving as entertainment chairperson for the Youngstown folk festivals, the director of the International Institute’s Children’s Chorus, and a resource instructor for ethnic heritage studies in local schools. A proud member of the Hellenic University Club, the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the PanCyprian Association, she dedicated herself to preserving culture and aiding Cypriot orphans following the 1974 invasion.

Diane is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Anastasis Anastasiades, and their son, Stavros (Koula) Anastasiades. She was the proud grandmother of Tasso and Maria Anastasiades. She also is survived by her brothers, James Fentules and Charles (Pella) Fentules; and her sister-in-law, Georgia Fitos. Diane was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews, Athanasia (Kingsley Lau), Alexandra (William Hammon) and Ekaterina (Phillip Squires) Fitos; Koula, Stavros (Anastasia) and Maria Fentules. She is further survived by her Cypriot sisters-in-law, Christalla Kelepeshis, Panagiota (Costas) Shiakallis and Lukia (George) Economides, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, godchildren and extended family in the United States, Cyprus, Greece and beyond.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stavros “Steve” Fentules and Kyriakoula “Katherine” Mamounis; her infant son, Andreas; her sister-in-law, Eleni Stavrou Anastasis of Cyprus; her niece, Diane Fentules; her sister-in-law, Norma Fentules; and her brother-in-law, Anastasios Fitos. Diane was also predeceased by many cherished relatives of the Anastasiades, Fentules and Mamounis families.

Funeral services will be on Nov. 8, 2025, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 N. Walnut St., Youngstown, OH 44503; In State at 10 a.m.; service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown.

May her memory be eternal.

Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home handled arrangements for the family.

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