Obituary: Katherine Soter Papanikolas

Katherine Soter Papanikolas 1915 ~ 2005 Katherine Soter Papanikolas was born in Midvale, Utah on July 1, 1915 and died in Oakland, California on Sunday, November 27, 2005. We, her children, called her Mom; our children called her YiaYia; our Dad called her Kate; her many nieces and nephews called her Aunt Kate or Aunt Katie; friends called her Katie some called her Katherine. In remembrance of both Mom and Dad, here we will call her Kate. Kate died after a long illness as a result of complications related to age and diabetes. She lived in the Salt Lake valley virtually all her long and productive life. The last six years she has lived in Oakland, California with her daughter, Georgene Kosmos. Kate was valedictorian of the Jordan High School class of 1933; she married John E. Papanikolas in Salt Lake's Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in 1937; she gave birth to each of her three children in Salt Lake's Holy Cross Hospital and she participated in Utah chapters of many philanthropic and civic organizations including the Order of the Eastern Star, the Salt Lake Opera Guild, and Philopticos Society and she was an early patron of the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Opera Company, and Ballet West. Kate was preceded in death by her parents, Gregory Frank Soter and Ellen Drimouris Soter; her husband John; and all her siblings, Mary Soter, Sam F. Soter and Fay Soter Sargent. Kate is survived by her children Michael J. Papanikolas and Barbara Burt Papanikolas, Georgene Papanikolas Kosmos, Gregory J. Papanikolas. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Theresa Papanikolas, Katherine Kosmos, John Papanikolas, Kristan Kosmos, Amelia Papanikolas Hannon, Stephanie Kosmos, Susan Papanikolas, Matthew Papanikolas, David Papanikolas, Amanda Papanikolas, Andrew Papanikolas, their respective spouses and nine great grandchildren. In addition to her children and grandchildren she leaves Lyn Martin Papanikolas, Chris Kosmos, her dear sisters-in-law Katherine F. Papanikolas, Ida P. Collard, Willa Dean P. Cocorinis, and Dorothy H. Papanikolas, many nieces and nephews and her devoted companion Zufan Amde. Kate's life was fruitful and blessed. She brought a positive influence to the lives of practically everyone she knew and she was universally loved. The world is a better place because of Kate and she will be sorely missed. A viewing and prayer service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2005 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Evans and Early Mortuary, 574 E & 100 S in Salt Lake City. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 11AM at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 5335 S. Highland Drive, Salt lake City with burial immediately afterward at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the John E. Papanikolas Scholarship fund at the University of Utah, University & 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112; or to a charity of your choice.