Katherine Katina Giokaris Eliopoulos

Katherine Giokaris "Katina" Eliopoulos was born in Kansas City on March 17, 1911, and passed away peacefully into the “pure land” on April 11, 2011. As a St. Patrick's Day baby, Katherine enjoyed the luck of the “four leaf clover” and was blessed with a long and happy life. She celebrated her 100th birthday last month with a party attended by family and friends. She received written congratulations from President and Mrs. Obama, Senator Pat Roberts, and Governor Sam Brownback, who made her a member of the Kansas Centenarian Society. Katherine was born to Vasiliki and George Giokaris, early Greek immigrants to Kansas City. Her father was one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. She was active in the church, serving as President of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. When the church celebrated its 100th anniversary last fall, Katherine was honored by Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Church of America for her service through the years. Katherine attended Manual High School, where she was a member of the track team and glee club. She was a member of the Manual High School Alumni Association. Katherine married George Eliopoulos, one of the founding partners in the United Theatres Co. and 63rd Street Drive-In. Together, they travelled the world. One of her travel highlights was going to the Academy Awards ceremony with her son Nicholas Eliopoulos. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband George Eliopoulos, her parents, her brothers James Giokaris, Nicholas Giokaris, and John Giokaris, and sisters Helen Christakoe and Paula Giokaris. Those who survive to cherish her memory are her son Nicholas Eliopoulos, sisters Angela Alexander Jefferies and VouLee Giokaris, both of Rancho Mirage, California, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews. Katina had said her century of life could be attributed to the Greek axioms, "Everything in moderation" and "Know thyself." There will be Visitation Services 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home at 10507 Holmes Road on Thursday, April 14th, 2011, with Trisagion at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15th at 10:00 a.m. at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation’s Ladies Philoptochos Society at 12001 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.