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ELLEN KARAGIANIS
ELLEN KARAGIANIS
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ELLEN KARAGIANIS Obituary
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5 Entries
Tonya-Marie Karabots
January 20, 2017
I met Aunt Ellen 26 years ago, when she welcomed me into the family. Through the years she was a friend, second mother and a Yai Yai to my children. She spent many weekends at my house cooking, sharing stories and playing with William and Ana. I will always remember her kind heart and gentle touch. I feel lucky to have had known such a special person who enriched my life with her happy spirit and positive attitude. We will love and miss you always.
Ellen and Grayson
Chip Cornwell
January 17, 2017
Ellen Karagianis was so much more than my neighbor. Throughout my childhood, she was my teacher of life and relationships, a confidant and a grandmother-figure. She was pure warmth, love and joy. Ellen Karagianis was my Godmother.
Looking back throughout my youth, I can't remember a time without Ellen. She became very good friends with my parents and their love for each other grew incredibly over time. As children, my sister and I looked forward to having Ellen visit with our parents. We would have dinner and watch prime time TV shows on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings. When our parents were planning to take us out to dinner, I can remember asking if we could invite Ellen. Looking back, I enjoyed listening to her reminisce about her past and learning about her childhood and family. After dinner, Ellen would often promise to make my sister and me waffles for the following morning. She made the most amazing homemade waffles and would deliver them warm and others ready to be frozen.
Along with my parents, Ellen taught me the value of a hard day's work and the importance of finishing what I started. Some of my fondest memories come from working along-side Ellen in her yard. Everything I know about annuals, perennials, planting and pruning I learned from Ellen. She taught me to use my imagination and together, we created beautiful plantings around the perimeter of her yard. I will never be able to garden without thinking of my Ellen. Every time I put my un-gloved hands into soil, I will see Ellen smiling at me and I will hear her voice saying You're so much like me you enjoy feeling the cold rich soil between your fingers too.
When I became a teenager I was to be confirmed into our local Protestant Church. I had not been baptized and so a combined ceremony was going to be performed. The value of being baptized at such a late age was that I could pick who I wanted as my God parents. I can remember waiting for Ellen to get home from work and I ran up to her car window as she stopped to get her mail. As you can imagine, she cried with tears of happiness that I would choose her for such an honor. Ellen made a wonderful Godmother.
Throughout high school and through my college years, Ellen was always there to support me with advice or provide tough love. When I would come home from college, I would always stop in and see Ellen. She was very good at helping me to see the perspective I fought so hard not to see, the one of reason, my parents'.
I am thankful I chose to marry a woman that Ellen respected and grew to love. I am also thankful and grateful that my wife made Ellen a priority in our lives and the lives of our children. When my son Grayson was born, we didn't go straight home from the hospital; my wife brought us straight to Ellen's house. When my daughter, Helena (my Grandmother's and Ellen's namesake) was born, we went straight to Ellen's. Lastly, when Catherine was born almost 17 months ago, we went to Ellen's. Ellen gave my children fond memories as well. She would stay at our house for a week or two and during that time, she would connect with the children, read, sleep and teach my wife and me how to cook Greek food. Ellen would also do one more thing; she would wash and fold laundry. If they gave a college degree for washing, folding and ironing laundry, Ellen would have a PhD. Today, Ellen's room" is a nursery for my youngest child but it will always be remembered as "Ellen's room".
My last memories with my Ellen will always be special to me. She was tired and didn't want to get out of her bed so I knelt down, held her hands and rested my head upon her pillow so we lay forehead to forehead. I stayed there quietly gazing at her while she slept and reflected on our relationship and the guilt I felt for not being with her every day. Every now and then she would open one eye to make sure I was still there and I caught her smiling. I whispered I Love You. Twenty minutes later, Kim and Helena and Catherine arrived and Ellen jumped up full of energy to see her girls, Helena and the baby. She was filled with energy and joy as she recounted her memories of the children when she stayed at our house. She laughed and smiled and we parted with hugs, kisses and an I Love You.
There will always be a hole in my family without Ellen and an even bigger hole in my heart.
Rest in Peace Ya Ya Ellen. May God bless you and keep you by his side for evermore.
Love,
Chip Cornwell
Linda Dotts
January 16, 2017
Remembering "Aunt Ellen" fondly. She was a very special person to my family. I will always remember the many stories she shared (often with a life lesson to learn from), her unending love for her family, the warm welcome she always gave with hugs and special Greek treats when we visited her home. My family enjoyed being with her from the time she hugged the girls as babies, through the joy she found in their pictures growing up, and the warm appreciation she shared for my husband's help in her aging days. We will treasure her kindness and generosity.
Pam Brody
January 15, 2017
Aunt Ellen was so special to our family.
We have so many wonderful memories we will always cherish. She will be dearly missed.
May her memory be eternal.
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Michelle Herter
January 15, 2017
Dear Denise and Family,
I feel so fortunate to have been lucky enough to meet your Dear Aunt Ellen, you knew the minute you met her that she was a genuine person who cared for everyone she encountered. My wish for all of you is that your memories will bring you comfort and joy. May she rest in peace.
Deepest sympathy,
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477 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
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