It is with great sadness that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Mrs. Constantina “Dina” Skouras Oldknow. A longtime parishioner and leader of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, Dina was an example of charity, philanthropy and vision. Fondly known as the “matriarch” to the community of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Dina’s passing will leave a void in the parish but her legacy of service will continue to impact the many people whose lives she touched.
“I was blessed to know Dina and her late husband, Bill, for many years, and to witness their love for each other and for the Lord was truly a blessing. Each time I was a guest in their home, Dina was the supreme hostess, always seeking to please each person. This admirable quality extended beyond her home to anyone she met, and she was especially concerned with helping those who were in need,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “There was no person Dina did not know, for she treated everyone as a friend, and cared for them not only with her resources, but most especially with her heart.”
Dina was born on February 20, 1925 in Skourohorion (Elis), Greece to Athanasios Dimitrios Skouras and Sophia Karianos Skouras. She had two sisters and three brothers, all of whom predeceased her. Dina came to the United States alone from Piraeus at the age of 21 on one of the Liberty ships. After arriving in Boston, she spent a summer in New York before moving to California to live with her uncle, Charles Skouras, in Beverly Hills.
She married William “Bill” Oldknow II on January 15, 1949 at Saint John Episcopal Church, and in 1959 they had their marriage blessed at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage until Bill’s passing in 2011. She and Bill were grand benefactors of Saint Sophia Cathedral and were active stewards and especially in their support of the Saint Sophia Foundation to provide for the future needs of the Cathedral.
Dina’s life revolved around her family and the church. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, but even more importantly, she was an example of service, compassion and love in all that she did. She was especially committed to Philoptochos and served as President of this ministry at Saint Sophia Cathedral for many years. In recognition of Dina’s visionary leadership, she was appointed National Philoptochos President by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, and served with dignity and grace from 1990 – 1994. It was during her tenure that the National Philoptochos initiated the annual Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon which has since raised nearly $3 million in support of children’s medical treatment and research.
Dina is survived by her four daughters Elizabeth Huttinger (Frank Huttinger), Theodora Oldknow (John McLean), Constantine Herzberg (Peter Herzberg), and Theresa Oldknow (David Sutton). She was also a beloved grandmother to her five grandchildren: Alexandra Huttinger, William Huttinger (Elizabeth Jensen), Asa Adib Ammarin and Alyssa Constantina Ammarin.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will lead the Trisagion Service on Monday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m., and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dina’s memory to: Saint Sophia Foundation, 1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006; or the University of Southern California Keck Medical Center, 1500 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
May her memory be eternal!