Thespina Holliger

THESPINA HOLLIGER (nee Antjas) age 89, beloved wife for almost 62 years of the late Edward Henry Holliger III; loving mother of Maria Tomlinson (husband Tracy), Edward "Hank" Henry Holliger IV (wife Magdi), and Sophia Nail (husband Charles Edwin III "Chip"); devoted grandmother of Lauren Elizabeth, Edward "Quinn" Henry V, Lukas John, and the late Anna Sophia Holliger, and Elena Isabel, Thespina "Tessa" Maria, and Julia Dawn Nail; cherished daughter of the late John Rigas and Sophia (nee Synadinos) Antjas; dearest sister of the late Voula Photos (husband John, deceased), Anthony Antjas (wife Kostoula, deceased), Georgia Skevos (husband Andrew, deceased), Peter Antjas (wife Voula, deceased), and Androniki Antjas.

Mrs. Thespina Antjas Holliger, 89, of Solon, Ohio, and formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away on Thursday morning, November 27, 2025.

Thespina was born in Stemnitsa, Greece, the daughter of the late Sophia (Synadinos) Antjas and John Rigas Antjas on January 21, 1936. She will be greeted by her parents, late husband, Edward Henry Holliger III, who preceded her in death on April 28, 2023, her siblings Voula (John) Photos, Anthony (Kostoula) Antjas, Georgia (Andrew) Skevos, Peter (Voula) Antjas, sister, Androniki, and granddaughter, Anna Sophia Holliger.

In Greece in 1936, you were born with the help of a family member or friend, and then went to the nearest large town to be registered. After six months passed, no one knew her exact birth date, so they gave the best guess and used the date of January 21, but celebrated the majority of her life on January 23. Due to the uncertainty, the birth day later became the birth week celebration, which we still embrace today!

In Greece, career choices were limited for young girls to taking care of your family, with the small outside chance of becoming a teacher or a nurse. Thespina survived the German occupation of World War II, took her junior high final exams while being very sick, and eventually came to America at age 15, with her parents and brothers, to be reunited with her sisters in Marion, Ohio. Due to speaking no English, she was put back to 7th grade when she was the age of a 10th grader. In her second year in America, she completed all of her 8th and 9th grade homework in one year, as to not miss learning anything new, and graduated high school only two years behind. She made the majority of her own clothing, and worked more than one job at a time to make ends meet, always having a strong work ethic. She went on to get her teaching degree from Kent State University, and stopped one quarter short of earning her Master's Degree from The Ohio State University when she decided to get married and start a family. She always emphasized the importance of an education, and became a lifelong learner in many areas. If she had the opportunity, she would have become a doctor, and still read endless medical journals, books, and The Bible.

Thespina married Ed on August 27, 1961, and were married almost 60 years until she lost her husband on April 28, 2023. They had a life of love and adventure, and everlasting memories. She supported him in his veterinary practice, and was a teacher, a volunteer for her Greek church, the schools, and her community, an amazing cook and baker, including the best baklava, kourambiethes, spanakopita, cheesecake, and triple chocolate chip cookies! She was someone who others sought out, always being a great listener and offering sage advice when asked. She was a shining beacon, and a stellar role model. Plus, she gave the best hugs!

At age 89, she continued to read and learn on a daily basis, support her family, friends, her church and still worked out nearly every day, and embraced each day here on earth as a bonus day. She had an incredible laugh, and also had a knack for meeting people once and remembering their names. Travels in recent years took her on cruises, to Florida, to Italy, and Greece -- even her beloved Stemnitsa after 27 years. Thespina and Ed were blessed with three children, and their spouses: Maria (Tracy) Tomlinson, Edward "Hank" Henry (Magdi) Holliger IV, and Sophia (Chip) Nail, as well as grandchildren Lauren Elizabeth Holliger, Edward "Quinn" Henry Holliger V, Lukas John Holliger, Elena Isabel Nail, Thespina "Tessa" Maria Nail, and Julia Dawn Nail. Her family was the center of her world. She had a deep faith and love of God and her Greek heritage: attending church services, keeping traditions alive, sharing her favorite recipes, culture, and dance. All of us will ease our grief with faith and love, family and friends, so many great stories, and a lifetime of amazing memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Thespina's name may be made to the following: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St., Warren OH 44481, or Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.

Funeral Service Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, at 1 PM. A Makaria lunch is to be held afterwards in the church hall. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Thespina at THE CHURCH THURSDAY MORNING 11:30 - 1 PM. Trisagion Service and Burial Friday, December 5, 2025, at 12 PM at Historic Marion Cemetery, 620 Delaware Avenue, Marion, Ohio, 43302.