Athina Marie Datini

Athina Marie (Jossefides) Datini, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025 at the age of 80. She is survived by her husband James Datini, sons Christo (Shelly), Anthony and Grumpy (the cat) as well as grand-dog Walter.

Athina, Tenna to those who knew her well, was born to a loving family in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan April 8, 1945. The third of four brothers and sisters, she was raised in Detroit (and later Allen Park) by her kind and hard-working parents, the late Christo and Eileen (Neff) Jossefides, who instilled a spirit of determination and generosity into their children. These traits defined her life, not the cancer that ultimately took it.

Tenna had an adventurous spirit, which manifested itself in a desire to see and experience all this beautiful land had to offer. A brief sojourn to California in her early twenties sparked a lifetime of travel, criss-crossing America countless times by train and van with family and friends. Tenna's desire for the road sparked the most important relationship of her life, marriage to her best friend Jim. Their camping trips would become the stuff of legend.

Jim and Tenna married in 1973 after several years of courtship, and started a family two years later with the birth of their first son, Christo. They settled in Lincoln Park, creating a space for family and friends, filled with joy, love, laughter and plenty of treats. A second son, Tony, came soon thereafter, completing the home and sparking a new chapter that would last until Tenna's final days.

Tenna was incredibly close to her brothers, Derry (Vivian) and Christo (Sue), and inseparable from her sister Barbara (Tom), with whom she shared everything. In time her family would grow to include cherished brothers- and sisters-in-law as well as dozens of nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored. Friends were kept close and many of her friendships lasted a lifetime.

Everyone was welcome in Tenna's home. Coffee and sweets were ever present, just in case someone stopped by for an afternoon chat. She brought this sense of welcoming everywhere she went: to the family she visited throughout the week; to the schools where she worked as a lunch mom and latchkey lady; and to the summertime campsites where friends and extended family gathered to share meals, stories and fun.

Tenna extended kindness to everyone around her, and instilled in her sons the same spirit of generosity that she learned from her parents. When someone in her orbit was in need, they never needed to ask for help. She was always there to provide care and make life a little brighter even in the darkest of times.

Her creativity was limitless, and included the meals she prepared from scratch, the treats she baked and the hand-painted ceramics that were gifted to friends and family for all occasions.

Kind, funny and tough, Tenna left this world surrounded by love, almost as much as she put into it. Her legacy endures in the family, friends and strangers she touched throughout the years.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Solosy Funeral Home.

Memorial Service will begin at 1:30 p.m.