Kathryn was born March 23, 1930 in Mason City, Iowa, the second child and eldest daughter of Sam and Marika (Vazoukis) Zahariades. She married Aristotel J. Pappelis on February 11, 1951 in Mason City. He preceded her in death, as did her parents. Her older brother, Gus Zahariades, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1949, also preceded her in death.
Her brother’s death was a life-changing event for Kathryn. Having just graduated high school, Kathryn had started attending Mason City Junior College with intent to complete her studies in fashion design in Chicago the following year. After the accident, Kathryn decided to forego college and stay home to help run the family restaurant.
After marrying in 1951, Kathryn accompanied Aristotel to Mississippi and Alabama during his military service. They returned north 2 years later, first to Iowa, then to Illinois. During those years, Kathryn was settling comfortably into the traditional role of a 1950’s housewife and mother. Three children were born: Gus in 1953; Tina in 1954; and Joanne in 1956. In 1960, the family moved to Carbondale, where Aristotel joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University. When all three children reached school age, Kathryn signed up for an art class at SIU. One class became two, then four.
Kathryn quickly became an accomplished painter, working primarily with oils and acrylics. At home, her kitchen doubled as her art studio, and the walls of her home filled with colorful still-lifes and Greek village scenes. Five years passed and Kathryn found herself needing only an algebra class to graduate. Under the tutelage of her 15-year-old son, Kathryn passed that class. In 1967, she received a BA in Art History.
During the 1960s, Kathryn was also active in the University Women’s Club and, along with Aristotel, was a co-sponsor of the Hellenic Student Association. After graduation, she was active with the SIU Alumni Association and served on their board for many years.
Kathryn taught art for most of the 1969-1970 school year at Lincoln Junior High School. The years her children were at Carbondale Community High School, she was a frequent substitute teacher. In 1973, Kathryn decided to leave teaching and took a real estate class. Within a short time she was a successful Realtor, listing and selling property in and around Carbondale. Kathryn enjoyed meeting people who were moving in, out of or around Carbondale. As an active “Tips” group member, she also shared contacts and information about the growing city and university with other professionals in the community. Kathryn retired from the real estate business in 2003, after 30 years.
After retirement, Kathryn and Aristotel moved to her hometown, Mason City, Iowa, and then in 2006 to Boca Raton, Florida to be near Joanne and her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. As the grandchildren grew, and the Internet grew in popularity, Kathryn became comfortable using email, messaging and Facebook to communicate and keep up with their activities and accomplishments.
When Aristotel passed away in 2010, Kathryn brushed up on her bridge skills and started playing regularly at the local bridge clubs in Boca Raton.
Kathryn was “everyone’s mom.” She was a second mother to Aristotel’s graduate students, the Greek students on campus, and most of her children’s friends. She cooked “for an army” most nights, and made delicious Greek cookies, desserts, as well as homemade cakes and pies. Her house was always open for family, friends and students, as well as visiting professors and their families from all over the world.
Kathryn was renown for her cooking and baking skills. In the 1970s, as PBS grew in popularity with chefs such as Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet, WSIU TV produced its own cooking show, with Kathryn frequently appearing as their Greek chef. Those at the studio knew Kathryn could make Greek cooking look easy and fun, but just as importantly, they knew she would bring plenty of food for them to enjoy after each show was taped.
In retirement, Kathryn traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Most recently, she cruised the western coast of South America, visiting ports in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia. She was especially excited to transit the Panama Canal and view photographs and exhibits in Panama City that told the story of how it was built. As a young man in Greece, her father heard there was work available in Panama, and the Canal Zone was his first stop in the Western Hemisphere on his way to the United States. Kathryn grew up hearing his stories about carrying water and selling sandwiches to the canal workers, and always hoped one day to see and sail through the canal.
Kathryn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gus and Jerre Ann Pappelis of Sherwood, Oregon, daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Matthew Franklin of Chatham, Illinois, and Joanne and Jack Weingold of Boca Raton, Florida, seven grandchildren, Eleni and Niki Pappelis, Mark and Kelly Franklin, and Stephanie (Efrain) Toledano, and Alexia and Dean Antoniou, one great-grandchild, Leila Rain Toledano, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia and Steve Margeas of Sioux City, Iowa, and Niki and Theodore Pappas of Brookfield, Wisconsin, one brother and sister-in-law, Bob Zack and Robin Hamilton of Scottsdale, Arizona, brother-in-law Hubert Dretzka of Evanston, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.
Kathryn was a member of St. Mark’s Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton and Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Mason City.
The family acknowledges the kind assistance of TrustBridge Hospice, Babione Funeral Home and Jimmy the Greek Taverna, all located in Boca Raton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to the National Parkinson’s Foundation 200 S.E. First Street, Miami, Florida 33131.
Arrangements under the direction of Babione Funeral Home, Boca Raton, FL.
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