Christine Kockinis

1930 - 2017

Christine Kockinis passed away at the spirited age of 86, surrounded by her family. Born on a hot August day at home in 1930, the last of 12 children, her life has been nothing but unique, beautiful, and interesting. She worked for the California Senate as an Associate Director for Office of Protocol & International Relations. To her children and grandchildren, we knew nothing of what she did except that she met extraordinary people, and we were required to assist her with stuffing thousands of envelopes, making phone calls, and listening to her put her fantastic haggling skills to good use on corking fees. She had a devotion to the Sacramento Kings that would rival any love story, and was extremely generous and giving to the ones that she loved. She was not without her "old Greek lady" quirks, though she was adamant that she had none. The family tree states otherwise. The Dos Equis commercials were originally written about her life, but the osteoporosis in her older years kept her from re-enacting the scenes. Christine was credited for giving the idea to Neil Armstrong "one small step for man" over their typical morning coffee; and personally thwarting World War 3 by baking baklava for JFK and Khrushchev. It was rumored that she took a bullet for Nixon, but she wouldn't admit to anything because he "is a Republican". She traveled the world, collected Chinese and Egyptian tchotchke's, loved orchids, kept batteries in the freezer, was obsessed with her Western movies and poker at Thunder Valley Casino. Regardless of the life she led, she dropped everything to help her family, and loved her grandchildren more than anything else in the world. She is survived by her daughter, Lydia; son, David (Maria); grandchildren, Savannah (Drew), Julian, Alexandra and Iliana and great-grandson, Tyler, plus many nieces, nephews and cousins (she had 11 siblings!). She always said that she was going to go out with a bang, and we believed it was going to be due to her saving animals from poachers on the Serengeti Plains. However, in the end, this stubborn old gal was no match for a couple days of pneumonia. Whether you knew her or not, the world's most interesting woman is going to be missed, and the world a little duller. Christine requested that six players from the Sacramento Kings be her pallbearers so that they could let her down one last time. Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Monday, April 24 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento. Trisagion to follow at 7:00pm. Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, 9165 Peets Drive in Elk Grove. Reception to follow. Private committal service in Hughson for her family.