Katherine Harkis

Katherine Sefakis Harkis
April 24, 1931 – October 15, 2014
Katherine Harkis (Yiayia) passed away on October 15th after many years with Parkinson’s disease and recent breast cancer. She was 83 years old and a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Katherine was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 24, 1931 to Pete and Angeline (Kares) Sefakis, immigrants from the island of Crete, Greece. Katherine’s early life revolved around the Greek community in Salt Lake and more specifically the close knit Cretan diaspora. Katherine easily engaged others and excelled in retail sales where she had a dedicated and loyal clientele. On January 2nd, 1955 she married the love of her life, Spyro Harkis. Together they raised four daughters that have been the center of her life. Over the years she has been involved in many fraternal organizations including the Pancretan Association of America, Daughters of Minos, Cretan Juniors and the Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos.
Katherine was a strong woman who was very proud of her Greek descent. She prized her family above all else. She loved visiting with her friends and daughters and was a loving, caring Yiayia. She especially enjoyed social functions with her extended family, engaging everyone she met in lively conversation. Although Parkinson’s severely compromised the last decade of her life, she never complained. She accepted her fate with dignity. She endured. She is now at peace.
Mom we will miss your wit and humor, your willingness to listen and understand. You were our sounding board for life’s simple struggles. You kept us grounded in so many ways. A steady hand, a voice of encouragement, a shoulder to cry on. We are diminished by your passing.
Katherine is survived by her daughters. Angela (Dan) Kimball of Blackfoot , Idaho, Julie (Doug) Shewmaker of Scottsdale, Arizona, Georgette (Taki) Skedros of Bountiful, Utah and Maria Harkis of Tinton Falls, New Jersey and her grandchildren Katina (Josh) Lopez, George (Charli Jensen) Kimball, Elissa, Melanie, Alexander and Adrienne Shewmaker, Gregory, Katerina, Jenny and Sophia Skedros and Dimitrios Harkis. Great grandchildren Alexander and Elizabeth Lopez. She is also survived by her brother Nick (Kelly) Sefakis and sister-in-law Joan Sefakis. She has many nieces and a nephew. Preceded in death by her husband Spyro and brother John Sefakis.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 20th, 2014 at 11am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on 300 west and 300 south, Salt Lake City. Viewing will also be held at the same location on Sunday, October 19th, 2014 between 6 and 8 pm. Trisagion service at 7:00 pm. Interment, Mt Olivet Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.deseretmortuary.com. Funeral Directors: Deseret Mortuary.
The family would like to thank the many physicians and caregivers involved with Katherine’s care. Donations may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of Salt Lake City.
May Her Memory Be Eternal