Smaragdi "Loula" Despotopoulos

Smaragdi "Loula" Despotopoulos (née Piliotis) passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on August 16, 2024. Born on February 7, 1936, in Pylos, Greece, she was the eldest daughter of Athanasios and PoliXeni Piliotis. Smaragdi was the oldest of four sisters: Clytemnestra (d.) of Athens, Eleni of Montreal, and Evgenia(d.) of Athens.
In 1958, Smaragdi married her beloved husband, Panagiotis (Peter) Despotopoulos, in Montreal, Canada.Together they moved to Chicago in 1970, where they raised their family. After the passing of her husband in 1987, Smaragdi relocated to St. Louis in 2004.
Smaragdi is survived by her three children: Evgenia "Gina" (Dean) Spilios, PoliXeni "Xeny" (Thomas)Simpson, and Nektarios "Nick" Despotopoulos. She was a devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren: Marylyn, Robert, Peter, Samantha, Isabel, Andrew, and Peter, and a proud great-grandmother to one, Thomas.
A cherished member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Smaragdi was known for her love of cooking and her straightforward, often humorous nature. Her favorite pastimes included spending time with her family, sewing, reading scripture, and preparing her celebrated Greek recipes.
Smaragdi will be remembered as a strong, loving woman, cherished by all who knew her. Her legacy as a mother, YiaYia, and ProYiaYia will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on August 24th at St. Haralambos Church 7373 N. Caldwell Ave. Niles, IL. Visitation begins at 10:30AM, followed by the service at 11:00 AM. Interment Elmwood Cemetery.