Vicky Mena

Vicky Greanias Mena, 59, of Signal Mountain, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at her home in the arms of the man who has adored her since childhood. Vicky is a native of Decatur, Ill., where she was born to Greek immigrant parents John and Katy Greanias. After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School, Vicky continued to the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She earned a bachelors degree in marketing and went on to work in hotel management in Chicago. On June 10, 1978, Vicky married the love of her life, Dr. Michael Mena, also a Decatur native. They spent the next eight years together transferring across America with the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the military, the pair settled down in Signal Mountain, with their two daughters, Katy and Ali, and later their son, John Michael. In the Chattanooga area, Vicky became a mainstay of the philanthropic community. She volunteered her time with many organizations, including the Medical Auxiliary, Junior League, Chattanooga Ballet, the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Childrens Creative Discovery Museum, and Signal Mountain Parent Teacher Associations. Additionally, Vicky was a dedicated member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, serving on both the Parish Council and Philoptochos Ladies Society for almost two decades. Had she not been devoutly Greek Orthodox, she certainly would have been Signal Mountain Presbyterian, a community which opened its heart and soul to her, for which her family is unceasingly grateful. A true Greek-American princess, Vicky was passionate about her faith, her family, Greek dancing and football. She loved to travel and spent many summers in Greece with family she held so dear. She traveled to England and France with Mike, Greece with her daughters, Mexico with Katy, and Romania and the Czech Republic with Ali, where she met President George H.W. Bush (one of her favorite memories). Vicky loved to live, lived to love, and lit up every room with her megawatt smile. We are sure that her dance card is full, as she joins her mother, father, and brother, Chris N. Greanias, in eternity. Vicky is survived by her devoted husband, Michael; daughters and sons-in-law, Katy and Joseph Berkley and Alexia and Kevin Loughman; son John Michael H. Mena; and brother and sister-in-law Nicholas J. and Mary Greanias (sons, Johnny and Teddy). The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 13, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Glenwood Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Contributions can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Chattanooga and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 570 North Union Street Decatur, IL 62522. Interment will follow to Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com. Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.