Theodora Staikos

Theodora Staikos passed away peacefully at her home in Phoenix, AZ on February 26, 2023 at age 98. Theodora was born on August 10, 1924 in the village of Agios Sostis (Messinias), Greece. On May 2nd, 1954, Theodora married Elias Staikos and shared nearly 70 years of an adventurous life together. The Staikos family moved to America on March 10, 1968, where they set roots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and retired to Phoenix Arizona in August of 1989.

Theodora was a humble woman that loved her family and faith. She will be missed by all who knew her. She had little formal education due to the circumstance of her childhood but had a wisdom that comes from determination, persistence, hard work and faith. She never gave up on anything. She loved to work and had an incredible energy level well into her 90s.

Theodora was happiest when she was entertaining and cooking; being surrounded by the love of family and friends was her happy place. She was a woman of the earth and needed to have her hands in the soil. She loved her garden with its citrus trees as well as tomatoes, “agria/horta” (field greens), cucumbers and more. She was an organic farmer before it became mainstream and everything she planted in her garden blossomed abundantly as she poured her love into it as with everything she cared for.

Theodora is survived by her loving husband Elias (96 years), her children Steve Staikos (Deedee), Stacy Papatzimas (Nicholas) and George Staikos (Joanna), her beloved grandchildren: Thalia Rofos (Nikolaos), Eliot Staikos, Gabriella Papatzimas, Theodora Staikos, Spyros Staikos and Alexandra McClure (Ethan) and her great grandchildren, Theodora & Evangelina Rofos. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families whose lives were equally impacted by her love. Theodora was preceded in death by her parents, George & Panagiota Gamouras, and her two brothers Aristidis and George.

Our hearts are broken and we will always remember our beloved wife, mother and yiayia with fond memories and love. She was a remarkably strong woman filled with a rich history of unconditional love and unparalleled goodness and will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. She will remain in our hearts always and our lives will never be the same without her. Her smile lit up every room she entered and her hands were always full of something lovingly prepared still warm from her kitchen. Her legacy will live on through her children and grandchildren. She will live within our hearts forever; may her memory be eternal.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at 9AM followed immediately by the funeral at 10AM. All services will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. The interment will follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 following the Makaria at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered in Theodora’s name to Hospice of the Valley https://hov.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ShadowMountainMortuary.com for the Staikos family.