Lena Vatsures' Obituary
Lena Vatsures, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the evening hours of December 25, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. Lena was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Greek immigrant parents, the first of four siblings. After only one year in Ohio, the family moved to Dallas where Lena attended John Henry Brown Elementary School and would eventually graduate from Forest Avenue High School. She was accepted to The Art Institute of Dallas and enjoyed sculpture classes at The Dallas Museum of Fine Art. Lena also enrolled in non-credit studies for Design and Landscaping at Southern Methodist University.
Lena became a talented artist and designer with a long career in retail advertising at La Mode, a women’s fashion store, followed by management positions with Sanger Brothers and H. L. Green. She would ultimately join the prestigious Bloom Agency as Senior Art Director, heading up the Zales Jewelry advertising account for two decades. During her successful career, Lena was an innovator and trend-setter in the industry, earning her the recognition of “Who’s Who of American Women” in Dallas.
In retirement, Lena’s life was devoted to helping others and serving as a volunteer in many church and civic organizations, including The Philoptochos Ladies Auxiliary of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Lena is preceded in death by both of her parents, Spiro and Helen; brothers John and Peter; brother-in-law Zahari Semander and niece Elena Semander.
She is survived by her sister, Harriett Semander; nieces and nephews Maria and Fred Crawford, JoAnna and Chris Nicolaou, and John Semander; five great-nephews Daniels and Zane Crawford, Andreas, Zack, and Pete Nicolaou. The family is also ever grateful to their dear friend Sal Suarez for his friendship with Lena over the years.
A private Greek Orthodox funeral service will be held for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, TX 75240 or to a charity of your choice.
May Lena inherit eternal life.
Psalm 23
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