Kathy Coulis

Born in Achladopodos, Greece, on May 24, 1938, Kathy immigrated to the United States in 1957 with her brother Peter to join her father in northwest Indiana. Soon after, Kathy met Jim Coulis at a church dance. They were married in 1959 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in East Chicago, IN, and began a life together that would span 62 years.

Kathy and Jim owned and operated Kathy’s Coffee Shop in Lansing, IL. Later, they enjoyed more than two decades of retirement in Florida, surrounded by family, friends, and their Greek Orthodox faith.

Kathy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose deep love for her family touched everyone around her. She treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the last year of her life, she found great joy visiting Annapolis, MD, and teaching Greek to her beloved great-grandsons, Tommy and Teddy.

She is survived by her daughters, Theodora Thanas and her husband, Tom, of Sarasota, and Toni Dragatsis of Denver; her grandchildren, Kathleen Thanas and her fiancé, Sara Sciammacco, of Naples, FL; Toni Thanas Spodarek and her husband, Lt. Col. Robert Spodarek, of Annapolis, MD, and their sons, Tommy and Teddy; Marina Dragatsis and her fiancé, Nikitas Sorenson, of Chicago; and Christo Dragatsis of Denver. She is also survived by her brother, Peter Sellis and his wife, Andrea, of Munster, Indiana; her sister, Kostoula Gamilis (Late Andonis) of Greece; her sister, Anna Kokotis (late William); sisters-in-law Georgia Katsaros (Peter) and Sylvia Coulis (late Finis), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Coulis in 2021; her parents, Diamanti and Antonia Sellis; her sister, Maria Sirounis (late Gus); her brother, George Sellis (late Faye); her nephew, Damen Sellis; her niece, Toni Sellis-Vastis; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Dina Coulis.

Throughout their lives, Jim and Kathy were active members of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond, IN, where they raised their daughters, and later worshipped at Holy Spirit Orthodox Church in Venice, FL, and St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota. Their faith remained at the center of Kathy’s life and family.

Visitation for Kathy will be held at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 North Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, on May 15, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a Greek Orthodox funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Palms Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Endowment Fund or to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond, IN.