It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Andriana Christina Kolendrianos, whose life was defined by faith, family, music, service, and an extraordinary capacity to love.
Andriana was born on August 30, 1942, in Flint, Michigan, to loving Greek immigrant parents, Mary & John Stamos. Along with her brother, James, she was raised with a deep appreciation for family, Faith, food, culture and a strong work ethic. Her father, an electrician by trade and a devoted Church Chanter, introduced Andriana to music at an early age which became one of the great loves of her life.
Her beautiful voice and passion for music led her to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she studied voice with renowned teacher Richard Miller and conducting with Maynard Klein. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice before continuing her education at California State University, Sacramento, where she received a Master’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in conducting. There, she studied voice with Julia Monroe and conducting with John Lewis.
Music was never simply a profession for Andriana—it was a way of connecting with people and sharing something beautiful. She performed in operas and recitals, conducted choral concerts, and taught music and voice to students at both the university and high school levels. Throughout her life, she encouraged others to discover their own voices and the joy that music could bring. She changed many lives with her gift of music.
In October 1967, at the age of 25, Andriana volunteered at the Greek Festival at the State Fairgrounds in Sacramento. There, she was introduced to a young man from Virginia, Ernest Kolendrianos, who was completing his training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology at Emory University in Atlanta. Ernest knew almost immediately that he had met his future soulmate. They were married in November 1968 in Sacramento, beginning a beautiful love story!
Their first year of marriage, they drove in her 1966 Mustang to El Paso, Texas, where Ernest served a 2-year U.S. Army military obligation during the Vietnam War. They welcomed their first child, a son, Christopher, in February of 1970. In July 1971, Ernest and Andriana moved to Santa Barbara, California, where Ernest joined the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and Andriana continued to teach voice privately and at the University level.
Their second child, a daughter, Alexandra, was born in 1973. Andriana was an extraordinary mother. She led with her heart—with patience, kindness, encouragement, and a gentle almost angelic spirit that made her children feel deeply loved. The family took countless family adventures to Greece, Hawaii, Costa Rica and Beyond which will always remain a sweet memory in everyone’s hearts.
She gave generously of herself to her community. She was involved with the Vieja Valley PTA, the Junior League, the National Charity League, and the Santa Barbara Music Club. She taught in the Santa Barbara City College Music Department and created popular performance classes that brought students together to present cabaret shows throughout Santa Barbara.
But perhaps her most enduring musical legacy was her extraordinary service to St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, where she organized and directed its choir for 50 years. For five decades, Andriana shared her voice, her musical gifts, her leadership, and her love of the Orthodox faith with generations of parishioners.
She also became deeply involved with the San Francisco Metropolis Church Music Federation, directing and participating in church music conferences from Hawaii to Pittsburgh. Although she was honored many times for her contributions, Andriana remained humble about those recognitions. She never sought praise for doing what she loved. To her, sharing music, faith, and fellowship was a privilege and a blessing.
She was a devoted wife and soulmate to Ernest. An incredible mother to Christopher and Alexandra. A beautiful grandmother who treasured every moment with her grandchildren and who cared deeply about instilling faith and strong values in their lives.
She was a loving sister, cousin, aunt, godmother, mother-in-law and friend. Andriana was light! She had a rare gift of making people feel loved. She was genuine, warm and had a smile and a heart of Gold.
She leaves behind her beloved husband of 57 years, Ernest Kolendrianos, M.D., and their two children, Alexandra Kolendrianos Ramirez (Michael) and Christopher Andrew Kolendrianos. She also leaves behind three precious grandchildren, Sorel Sofia Kolendrianos, Xander Thomas Kolendrianos, and Melina Jade Ramirez, who brought immeasurable joy and love to her life.
A Trisagion Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 6PM. Funeral Service will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10AM. Both Services will be held at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church at 1205 San Antonio Creek Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in her memory.
MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL.
