Theodora "Thea"

Madison - Theodora "Thea" Agathe Briamis passed away at her home in Madison in the early hours of July 26th after her tenacious fight against the lymphoma that developed during her second pregnancy. Born on March 22nd 1983 in Madison, WI, Thea was a social and spunky child who grew to become a fearless flyer on the All Stars cheerleading team during which time she attended LaFollette High School. She later attended MATC, studying early childhood development.

Thea's life work revolved around children and she utilized her strengths while working at Whiz Kidz and Teddy's Place. She held a special spot in her heart for the Torti family, for whom she felt fortunate to work and whom she unequivocally loved. However, motherhood was by far, Thea's greatest passion in life as she cherished her two daughters and raised them with patience, humor, and endless love. In 2009, while accompanying a friend on a blind date gone awry, she met Ty, her partner in crime, whom she planned to marry after she accepted his proposal in 2013. Thea was the type of woman who never held onto anger, always wore a smile, even in the toughest of times, and seemed to keep jokes in her left pocket. She was filled with compassion for others, fiercely defending the basic human rights of all people. Known most for her uncanny ability to make others laugh, whether from her ridiculously hilarious Facebook posts, chasing the Schwann's man down the street for bagel dogs because he skipped her house, or remarking with a wave of her hand, "Pish posh. I have cancer, I can do whatever I want." She was an inspiration to the hundreds of people that supported her in her twenty-month battle with lymphoma, which she faced with humor and valor. Aside from this, Thea was markedly admired for the obvious, awe-inspiring love in her blended family.

Thea will forever watch over daughters, Camdyn Sloan (age 6) and Dylan Joy (20 months); her fianc�, Ty Swenson; her best friend and the father of Camdyn, Kipp Smith; her parents Vassilios and Nancy (Atkinson) Briamis; her sister, Anna Briamis; and the Swenson family - Nels, Jill, Kaylee and Statia.

Visitation for Thea will be on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Cress Funeral Home (3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI). A Trisagion Service will take place at 7:00pm. The Funeral will be Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10:00am at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (11 N. 7th Street, Madison, WI 53704), with Father Michael Vanderhoef presiding. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to benefit Thea's daughters. Our undying gratitude goes out to the staff of UW Hospital and Clinics, the congregation of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, and the Torti family for their steadfast support. Fly high, lovely Thea. Heaven is even more magnificent with you in it.