02/18/1958 – 03/18/2023
We are beyond saddened to share the passing of our sweet and beloved Maria Frangiskakis (65) on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
More than anything, Maria was a mother. Her world revolved around her daughters, Yianna and Nia, and her joy was their happiness, safety, and growth. She supported them through their most difficult challenges, nurtured them through tough lessons, and celebrated everything from their smallest delights to their biggest accomplishments. The three were best friends and spoke every day, always multiple times a day. Maria’s children were her contentment and her joy.
She met her husband Dimitrios at a Fourth of July party in 2004. She noticed him immediately, three months later he gave her a diamond, and the following year they married.
Maria loved travel and seeing and trying new things; from the global adventures of her early twenties with her cousins, to the trips taken with Dimitri and her girls in her later years, she loved the excitement of breaking routine and the anticipation of adventure.
Maria was born in Boston in 1958 to Marika and Fotis John Kontis. She grew up surrounded by many loving aunts and uncles, and cousins who were more like siblings. Her mother was her source of safety and continuity growing up, instilling in her a sense of work ethic and commitment to family from a very young age. The three would eventually move to Greece and then relocate permanently to West Palm Beach, Florida. Here, Maria started a family with her first husband, Antonios. Maria and Tony enjoyed entertaining, gifting their daughters some of their earliest memories of being surrounded by friends and family at home, both for celebrations and the everyday.
She raised her two daughters with the support of her mother in a multi-generational home. Her girls learned kindness and softness from her, especially in the unique quiet strength and perseverance she possessed her entire life.
Maria was a teacher for 30 years. From her student teaching in Greece to her many years at South Tech Academy, she retired from the profession having taught and supported thousands of students.
Maria loved making things beautiful and sharing beautiful things with others. She loved having flowers and candles in the home and loved selecting just the right perfume and lipstick for the day. She would often come home from her work at TJ Maxx with a surprise gift for Dimitri or for one of the girls, or more recently for Nia and her fiancé, Bobby, and their new home—all just because she saw something she knew they would love. She always thought of the people she cared about most, and always prioritized what would bring them joy.
While she loved her job and her coworkers, she really loved coming home and being with her family. Her puppies, Pepper and Fiona—who turned her into the dog-lover she never expected to become—excitedly greeted her at the door every day.
She was married to Dimitri for almost 17 years, until his passing in August 2022. They lived in Jupiter, FL, together, sometimes with one or both of their daughters, and always with dogs they loved. They found joy in simplicity and togetherness, found laughter in each other and the silliness of the dogs, and looked forward to going out, especially at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL. They loved trying new restaurants and new cuisines, but had their go-to neighborhood spots for the best kalamaria and Italian.
Maria’s presence was always one of stability and sturdiness, but through a grace, warmth, and sweetness that made for the most perfect, most healing hugs. She left you feeling better about yourself than you knew you could.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Dimitri, her parents, Marika and Fotis, and her best friend, Martha. She is survived by her daughters, Yianna and Antonia, her soon-to-be son-in-law Bobby, and many loving friends, family, and coworkers. Her presence will never be replaced, and she is unbelievably missed. She is loved more than words can say.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 9:00am at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach.
For those sending flowers, please have them sent to St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church at 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405 by 9a on Friday, March 24. Please note that the links at the bottom of this page will direct deliveries to the funeral home by default.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Quattlebaum-FH.com for the Frangiskakis family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17