Katherine Kordopatis Trayis, our loving Mother, Yiayia, (grandmother) passed peacefully in her sleep December 29, 2021. She was ready to see her Lord, who she loved so very much. Always sharing and talking about him.
Mom was born on September 22, 1917 in the small village of Dara, Greece to Andrea and Christina Kordopatis. As a very young girl, she would stay with her grandmother as the rest of the family would go the “Kambo”, which was the gardens where the family would raise many fruits, and vegetables. As a young child, Mom learned from her grandmother, (whom she loved very much), to cook and sew. She helped prepare meals for the family when they came home in the evenings. As she grew older, she later worked in the gardens as well. They would stay there all day and come home late in the evening. She was never afraid of hard work, and never a complainer.
In 1951, Mom left Greece to come to the U.S via the Bahamas., where through an arranged marriage, met and married our Dad Angelo, on June 5, 1954 at Nassau, before coming into the states. They enjoyed 23 years of marriage before Dads passing in 1975.
Funny story, Mom's Uncle would tell our dad, who was also a hard worker, "I have a niece, you need to marry her. He mentioned it a few times. Finally, Daddy said, "send her over".
As our dad was a sheep herder, Mom helped him a lot around the farm. She so enjoyed cooking for the shepherds who worked for them. She also enjoyed cooking for our family and friends. I remember she would have dinner parties and always baking for neighbors and friends.
Mom loved her flowers and her gardens. The produce was always shared with neighbors and friends as well. She also enjoyed seeing airplanes, helicopters flying in the air, and the contrails in the sky.
She also loved the people who she would see in North Idaho. Everyone called her Yiayia.
We all traveled together as a family, kids, and grandkids to see the Holy Land. She wanted to see where Jesus was born. Then, on to Greece, we went to get acquainted with her family and her country.
Mom was a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church here in Pocatello and was active in the Philoptohos Society till her health got in the way.
Mom was the most committed person to God and family, as one of her grandkids stated. Always loving people and accepting them.
She was preceded in death by her husband Angelo, parents and four brothers and one sister. (Angelo, George Peter, Vasilios (Bill) Kordopatis and Maria Georgakopulos)
She is survived by Christine (Dan) Hokanson (daughter), and Angelo Trayis Jr. (son).
Her grandchildren, who were the love of her life: Nick Jensen, Angela (Emmett Blair), Alex (Janae) Jensen, and step grandkids Brian (Jane Hokanson), Jessica Hokanson, and Rick, and her great-grandchildren, Karson, Payton, Kyndal, Tucker, and Theia, and step-great-grandchildren, Soana and Ona. As well as many nieces and nephews here in Idaho, Alaska, and Greece.
We would like to thank so very much Dr. LaVonne Mills for taking such wonderful care of our mom. And being there for all of us night and day. God Bless you. And we would like to thank Steve & Judith Katona. Always bringing food and gifts and just being good friends.
John McNabb, thank you for coming and seeing Mom and just visiting with her. It meant the world to her.Stephanie Gill, thank you for all the beautiful flowers you would bring Mom. Oh, but how she loved them.
Now, to our Heritage Home Health and Hospice family. What would we have done without you these last 6 months? You were our God Send. Evelyn Perkins, Renee Bunderson, anything we needed you were there immediately. Thank you. Emma Summerill and Clint Guguelman. Thank you so much. We couldn't have done it without you. Blessings to you all.
A Greek Trisagion service will be held Thursday evening at the Greek Orthodox Church at 6pm.
Funeral Service will be Friday in the Greek Orthodox Church, 518 N. 5th at 2:30pm. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello.
Flowers are welcome. For Donations, please send to Greek Orthodox Church P.O Box 4567 Pocatello, Idaho 83201.
Family is requesting that masks please be worn, due to Covid.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542
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