Lena Dimas Simitzi; Ventura Cafe Owner
Lena Dimas Simitzi, a longtime owner of a downtown Ventura cafe and volunteer for a number of local organizations, has died. She was 86.
Simitzi moved from Santa Barbara to Ventura in 1933 after marrying her husband, John. They owned and operated the State Cafe on Main Street for a number of years, and later opened the Modern Sandwich Shop.
She was instrumental in a community war-bond drive during World War II and was past president of the Ventura PTA. She also participated in the Ventura Women’s Club, where she was named 1969-70 Club Woman of the Year.
Simitzi’s husband died in 1991. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Michael and John.
She is survived by her son, Nick Simitzi of Ventura; a brother, Sam Dimas of San Pedro; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Demetrios Church, Camarillo. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
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