She was born in Cleveland Ohio on October 22, 1933 to Harry Gerras (Aristotle Gerapetritis) and Maria Crassas Gerras, immigrants from Greece.
The second of three daughters she was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Aristide Camburako, whom she married on June 22nd, 1958, her older sister Stella Papadopoulos, and younger sister Dr. Thelma Maragos.
She is survived by her children, Emmanuel Camburako (Jill), Mary (Camburako) Wempe (Kevin), and Aristo Camburako (Marcy). Ten grandchildren; Mark Wempe (Cait), Michael Camburako, John Wempe, Mikael Camburako, Thomas Camburako, Joseph Camburako (Maggie), Nathaniel Yates, Nicolas Camburako, George Camburako and Sophia Camburako, 4 great grandchildren; Jason Wempe, Ellie Wempe, Madelynn Camburako and Jameson Camburako, and many nieces and nephews.
She loved to recollect stories of her young days growing up in Cleveland, Ohio and the day-to-day life that must have been challenging especially in the darkest days of the Great Depression. Even though the times were tough all her stories had a happy perspective. She was devoutly religious as a member of the Greek Orthodox faith throughout her entire life passing on to her children many customs and traditions. She attended The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kansas City. There she was President of The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Advisor to the church Youth group and always helped with the annual church festivals.
She graduated from Case Western Reserve University where she majored in Biology and minored in Physics and Mathematics. She received her Master’s degree in teaching from Emporia State University. She was a teacher of mathematics and science and taught seventh grade Life Science for the balance of her forty-year teaching career mostly at Nallwood Middle School/Indian Woods Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas. Her priority was family, but each fall she would look forward to her new students at school. Her life strongly affected and influenced those whom she taught. Her family continues to meet former students who have stories of admiration of their influential teacher.
She lived life as a conservationist marveling every day at the miracle of nature. One of her joys in the later years of her life was watching and feeding the birds that came to her yard. A great gardener, she recalled to her family that she had won second place in Cleveland for her Victory Garden during World War II.
Sophie was an amazing cook and there was always room at her table for whoever came to the house. She will be especially remembered for her delicious dolmades and her weekly avgolemono soup! Everyone was made welcome with good food and conversation.
Sophie retired from teaching early at 62 to help run the family’s restaurant business when her husband had a stroke. She and Ari sold the business and retired to travel taking extended vacations in Greece and France, and a train trip that covered the Northern and Western United States.
After her husband passed, she lived with her daughter, Mary Wempe (Kevin) and then at Silvercrest at College View Memory Center where she was cared for by a devoted staff. She is remembered best for her unshakable positive attitude and whenever asked by anyone how she was doing, always responding with a smile and “fine and dandy”.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The Visitation will be held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, Tuesday, June 27th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, Trisagion service at 7:00pm. Funeral service will be at Annunciation, Wednesday, June 28th at 9:00am. May her memory be eternal!
