Georgia Valaoras

Georgia was born on March 27, 1938 at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing. Her parents, Nicholas Peter Baziotis and Olympia Demetropoulos, were immigrants from Greece who settled in the Lansing area. Georgia attended Sexton High School and Michigan State University. Georgia was a Sunday School teacher, sang in the church choir and was a member of the GM Juniors choral group. Georgia then married George Thomas Valaoras of Indianapolis on July 5, 1964 in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lansing.

After their wedding, George and Georgia initially settled in Indianapolis. Over the next 59 years, George and Georgia lived in Warsaw, NY; Rolling Meadows and Inverness, IL; Alpharetta, GA; Chicago, IL; New London and Winston-Salem, NC; and ultimately Bath, MI. For over 30 years, the family maintained a home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. At each location, with her keen sense of fashion and design, Georgia made each home a classic study in beauty, style and elegance. George’s work required considerable international travel and Georgia thoroughly enjoyed accompanying him on these trips.

Georgia deeply loved her husband, children and grandchildren. Her loving care and affection also extended to the many dachshunds who were always part of the Valaoras family. She is survived by her husband, George Thomas Valaoras; son, Dr. Thomas G. Valaoras, MD (Mari), Nicholas P. Valaoras (Kay), Libby Kirschner (Josh); six grandchildren, George and Kate Valaoras, Alexandra and Matthew Valaoras, and Charlotte and Caroline Kirschner; and sister, Koula Curtis. She was pre-deceased by her parents and younger sister, Penny Popoff.

The family thanks the nurses, attendants and doctors at Sparrow Hospital for their care and attention.

Memorial donation suggestions: Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or Ruff Love Rescue in Thomasville, NC.