Constance Karras

Constance Kanell Karras
Constance (Connie) Kanell Karras, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, died of natural causes on April 29, 2014.
She was born October 8, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah to George and Angelina (Chipian) Kanell. Connie was one of seven children. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah and went on to do graduate studies there.
Connie married James Karras on April 30, 1950. They were married for 52 years when James passed away. They had four children, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Connie earned an NDEA Fellowship in 1964. Connie was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach English as a second language at the University of Athens in Athens, Greece from 1967 to 1968. This was quite a feat for a mother of four children, one of whom was a newborn baby! Connie taught English, as well as French and Latin, for over 40 years and loved her work (except for grading papers… “what a bore!”). She was an animated teacher who used untraditional approaches to help her students “get it.”
Connie’s students, kids and grandkids were always prepared for the “special” help she provided whenever they wrote a paper. Before she even looked at the paper, she requested a red pen. And then, look out! You had asked for Connie’s comments; you got them in spades. But, her comments were always spot-on. Debating them was futile, as you knew your paper would be better if you heeded her advice. Connie was emphatic with the spoken word as well, often correcting her family on the misuse of grammar.
Connie was very active in the Greek Orthodox Church. She was president of the Daughters of Penelope and The Philoptochos Society, Utah Chapters. She also was a member of the Holy Trinity Choir.
Connie loved music and the arts and was an avid reader. She was a great source for grammar, etymology and pretty much any general reference questions. She was our own personal desk-reference hotline! She enjoyed singing and even made a recording of “Blue Skies.”
Connie’s charming personality and all of her fun quotes and literary references will be greatly missed. She encouraged her grandkids, reminding them of the importance of hard work and effort. She often told them one of her favorite quotes, “ad astra per aspera,” a Latin phrase meaning, “to the stars through difficulties.”
Constance was preceded in death by her husband James Karras; her parents George and Angelina Kanell; sisters Virginia Calfas, Kristine Hendricksen and brothers Leo Kanell and Ernie Kanell.
Constance is survived by her sister Georgia Evans, brother Plato Kanell, sisters-in-law Angelina Kontgis and Bessie Whitney; four children, Sophia (Luke) Gillmor of Bountiful, Utah, Stath (Terry) Karras of Solana Beach, California, Angelica (Bryan) Bailey of Salt Lake City, Utah, Georgie (David) Krajicek of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South following the church service. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to www.deseretmortuary.com. Funeral Directors: Deseret Mortuary.
Many thanks to all of the caregivers at Emeritus Senior Living for taking such wonderful care of Connie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Holy Trinity Philoptochos or the charity of your choice.
“And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.” Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales.
May her memory be eternal.