Demetra Karapanagiotis Giannaras

1938 - 2014

Demetra Karapanagiotis Giannaras

AGE: 75 • New Castle, DE and Brigantine, NJ

Demetra Karapanagiotis Giannaras, 75, of New Castle, DE, and Brigantine, NJ, passed away in her sleep at the family home in New Castle.

She was born on October 21, 1938 in Athens, Greece and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1955. Demetra was educated in public schools in Greece, but quickly learned the English language upon her arrival in America. She married Vasilios J. Giannaras on April 24, 1960 in Wilmington, DE.

Demetra was a teacher's and lunchroom aide at Carrie Downie Elementary School in New Castle where the students and teachers alike adored her. She was honored many times for her outstanding service at the school.

Demetra held memberships at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, DE and at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. She was a choir member and served faithfully in both parishes on Greek Festival Committees that prepared a variety of authentic Hellenic dishes.

An avid gardener, she had an uncanny ability to grow just about anything. In Brigantine her home won an award for best outstanding landscaping. She was a fabulous cook of Greek cuisine, and her forte was baking Greek desserts, particularly diples, which was her signature pastry. Her proudest accomplishment in life was helping her late beloved husband raise three outstanding sons.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Vasilios J. Giannaras and two brothers, Peter (Taki) and Michael Karapanagiotis.

Demetra is survived by her three children, John Giannaras (Paula) of Elkton, MD, Chris Giannaras of Abingdon, MD, and George Giannaras (Nikki) of Bethlehem, PA; two brothers, Athanasi (Tom) and Chris Karapanagiotis, both of Wilmington, DE; seven grandchildren, William, Joseph, Katharine, Nicholas, Alexander, Georgia, and Christopher Giannaras, as well as by a host of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday morning, October 25, 2014, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE, where friends may visit with Demetra's family from 9:00 am until 10:00 am.

Interment will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Lancaster Avenue and DuPont Road, Wilmington, DE.

Flowers or memorial contributions may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 or to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 7004 Ridge Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234.

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