Grace Karakatsanis

Grace (Grammatiki, Titika) Karakatsanis, of Verona, PA, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2025. Born April 20, 1947, in Xrysostomos, Ikaria, Greece to the late Nikolaos and the late Aggeliki (Psalikoura) Kouknas . Grace's life epitomized her name. She brought beauty and goodness to everything she did. Her life's story is filled with laughter, love and family. She met her beloved Paraskevas in 1967 in Athens, and the couple married in 1972. Soon after, they immigrated from Greece to Verona, outside of Pittsburgh, PA, and Grace devoted her life to raising her family. After Paraskeva's retirement over 20 years ago, they built a life in Ikaria and had since been inseparable. Titika was everything you could possibly want in a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt or friend. Her warmth, kindness and love helped everyone around her to adopt a positive attitude. She was an optimist-- even through life's many tribulations. Titika was dependably generous and thoughtful, always giving her time and help to others. No one left Titika's home empty- handed. She made sure her family and friends had plenty of food and delicious home- baked treats to take back to their own homes. During Easter, she gave chocolates to all the "kids"- regardless of how old they were. You would always know where Titika was in a crowded room by her unique laughter. That laughter filled the lives of her beloved, and always growing circle of family and friends. And if you didn't find her in the house, she would be outside nestled in her or her daughters' gardens, admiring, pruning or watering the flowers she loved so much, especially roses. Her innate desire to help others, made everyone and everything around her flourish. Her care and concern for others, her deep love, infectious laughter, combined with her boundless generosity made Titika a force for good in our world, and her example will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Titika is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years Paraskevas (Perry), daughters Smaro (William) and Angela (Ryan), and cherished Yiayia to grandchildren Grammatiki, Paraskevas, and Zacharias. Sister to John (Mari) Kouknas and the late Apostolos Kouknas. Loving Aunt to Niko and Andreas Kouknas, Angela (Robert) Schafer, Athina (Dean) Mourselas; and in Greece, Vasili (Dimitra) Karakatsanis, Smaro Karakatsani, the late Kostantinos (Venus) Karakatsanis, Kostantinos Iatrou, and Antella (Sifis) Marketaki. Many great nieces and nephews, family and longtime friends both in the United States and in Greece. Adored substitute mom to many. Friends will be received Thursday, May 22, at the Burket-Truby Funeral Home 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont Pa 15139 from 4-8pm where a Trisagon Service will be held at 6pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 23 at 11am, in the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church with additional visitation beginning at 10am. Interment will be held in Ikaria, Greece. Arrangements entrusted to the Hahn Funeral Home & Cremation Svc. Inc..Kellie Tsouris-Hughes,Funeral Director. Family suggests memorial contributions to the Pan-Icarian Foundation (earmarked for the 'Old Age Home Fund) PO Box 79037 Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216.