Juanita M. Papadakis

Born in 1942 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Juanita received a Bachelor in Education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1964. She later continued her education at the University of Houston Clearlake where she received her Masters in Education.

Juanita began her teaching career in Houston and retired from HISD in 2007, having taught at Janowski, Oates, and Berry Elementary schools. She was awarded Teacher of the Year by HISD in 1993. Juanita was an exceptional teacher and shared her love of learning for over 40 years in the classroom where she touched the lives of thousands of students.

In the late 1960’s she moved to Houston, Texas and later married Kostas Papadakis in a ceremony held in Greece. They had 3 children, Leah, Niko and Mari. The two later divorced in 1986.

After the birth of her second grandchild she moved to Spring, Texas with her son Niko to be closer to her daughter and grandsons.

Always wanting to help young people expand their understanding and faith, Juanita taught Sunday school at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral over 20 years.

After retiring from HISD in 2007 Juanita remained active. She continued her love of educating through tutoring. Juanita also enjoyed volunteering at church and spending time with her grandchildren Alexander and William.

Believing in the importance of helping others, she made regular contributions to Vietnam Veterans Assistance, Purple Heart, The Boy Scouts of America and many other organizations.

Juanita loved to laugh, travel, garden, crochet, socialize and play games. She could often be found through out the years of her life playing board games with her family or assembling a jigsaw puzzle. In later years, she would play bingo with her buddies, have coffee with friends or spend hours playing online games with her grandchildren and friends on Facebook.

She was known as Yai Yai to her two grandsons, Alexander and William and they were her pride and joy. She never missed a birthday, school performance, scouting event, baseball game, or school program. Juanita often had the boys with her and took them for ice-cream at every opportunity.

No matter where she went she seemed to draw people to her, never afraid to strike up a conversation, offer a hug or warm the room with her smile. Her genuine love, care and concern for others was exemplified through a life of service, teaching and contribution.

She was fond of saying, “God closes one door and opens another.”

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Leah Dossey, son Niko Papadakis, two grandsons, her brother Ralph Trejo (spouse Arletta Trejo), brother Dan Trejo (spouse Kathleen Trejo) both of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and her sister, Kathie Haeni (spouse Frank Haeni) of Crivitz, Wisconsin.

Juanita was preceded in death by her daughter Mari and parents Joe and Elfrieda Trejo.

The Visitation and Trisagion Service with be held at Forest Park East from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 19, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and will conclude graveside at Forest Park East. A reception honoring Juanita will follow at the home of Peter Schnur in Spring, Texas. Reception details will be provided at the viewing and the funeral for friends and family wishing to attend.

In lieu of flowers offerings of love and sympathy can be made to the family care of Leah Dossey and sent to 25302 Lancewood Drive, Spring Texas 77373