Obituary of Georgia (Patsiaris) Kanarellis

Georgia (Patsiaris) Kanarellis, 76, died at home in Mooresville NC, on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 after a long illness. Georgia was born on February 3, 1932 in Peabody, daughter of the late John and Chresoula (Androniko) Patsiaris. She was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1952. She later pursued her education at Salem state College. As a longtime resident of Peabody, Georgia was the former Recreational Director of the Peabody Council on Aging who was known for her compassion and willingness to give of herself in both her professional and private life. She began her career in 1972 delivering meals on wheels to senior citizens throughout the city and then quickly took on a dual role of Recreational Director as well as the Bilingual Outreach Director. She took special interest in organizing and directing several theater productions such as “Hello Dolly and Anything Goes” which included everything from costumes and make up to set production and scripts. Georgia always made sure that every senior who walked through the doors was made to fell special and welcomed. The key to her success was the genuine love and desire she had for helping people. In 1992, she named “Person of the Year” for her 20 years of service to the city’s elders. Following her retirement she resided in Marco Island, FL and Mooresville, NC. She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas M. Kanarellis; her two children, JoAnne Saccone and her husband David and Michael T. Kanarellis of TX; four grandchildren, Nicole Saccone, Thomas, Jason and Sophia Kanarellis; 2 sisters, Vassy Helas and Elene Petrovitsis of Peabody and many nieces and nephews. Her siblings Maria Canatselos and Emmanuel Patsiaris predeceased her. Her funeral will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (new facility) Peabody followed by a service at 12 noon in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday 4 to 7 p.m. Burial in cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 150 Fairview Rd., Suite 325, Mooresville, NC 28117.