Nota J. Kallianis

Nota J.Kallianis, 86, of Waukegan, passed away April 12th, with her family. She was born in Daphni, Greece on March 27th, 1927, in a small village near Sparta. Nota lived through a difficult time in Greece due to wars and hardship. When her husband was exiled to the US in 1967, after civil political unrest, Nota was left to care for her four small children. In the middle of the night on March 18th, 1969, she took her children and fled the country with nothing more than the clothes on their back. She left behind her beloved farm animals and olive orchards to provide safety for her children. Joining her husband in Waukegan, IL, they worked hard to make sure their children were educated and successful. Later in life, Nota spent seven years caring for her husband as he battled Parkinson's until his passing in 1991. After her husband's death, she helped her son Dino and daughter Renee build Captain Porky's restaurant where she worked until age 83. Nota, known as Ms. Baklava, was a great chef. All of Captain Porky's customers knew her as mama. She loved working hard and helping others. When people came into the restaurant with hardship she would always help them because she knew what it was like to struggle. During this 24 year period, she helped to raise her nine grandchildren and by her example she instilled in them humility, a strong work ethic, and family values. She loved nature, animals, gardening, and her flowers. On a weekly basis she would give her neighbors fresh baked bread, flowers, and vegetables that she would grow in her immaculate garden. Her favorite pass time was fishing with her two sons, George and Dino, two to three times a week. Everything Nota did was done with passion, heart, and self-sacrifice. She fought Alzheimer's for six years with courage and grace. Nota resided at 325 Fourth Street in Waukegan from 1969 to 2010. The last three years she lived with her loving daughter, Renee, who was her caregiver with the help of her sons Dean and James, their father George Andrianakis, and Georgia. She was a true Spartan warrior with love for her family and all of humanity. She was larger than life and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her beautiful smile will never be forgotten and she will be remembered for her loving and humble spirit. As an authentic, courageous and empowered woman, Nota's legacy will be carried forth by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew her. Beloved mother of Renee Kallianis (George) Andrianakis, George (Elaine) Kallianis, Dino (Elaine) Kallianis, and Joann (David) Murphy; loving grandmother of Dean and James Andrianakis, Patricia and James Kallianis, Dimitrios (fiancée Kristina) Kallianis, George (Jenna) Kallianis, Notah Kallianis, Jacqueline and Stephanie Murphy; one great- grandson, Constantine Douglas Kallianis; dear sister of George (Christina) Gianoulis, sister-in-law Vasiliki Moutis; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Dimitrios Kallianis; sister, Katerina Thanou; brothers, Nicholas and Vassilios Gianoulis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church or Alzheimer's Association of Chicago. Visitation Monday 5:00-8:00 p.m., Trisagion Service, 7:00 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Home. Funeral Service, Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 O'Plaine Rd., Libertyville, IL.