Katherine Economopoulos Hatzigeorgis

Katherine Economopoulos Hatzigeorgis passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dr. George P. Hatzigeorgis, her daughters Maria Cecil (Craig) and Drosoula Karamanis (Theodore). She was Yia Yia to her beloved grandchildren, Callie Inge (Peter), Robby Garrison, Robert Cecil, Ariel Cecil, John Karamanis, George Karamanis and Katerina Karamanis.

Katherine was born in Skoupi in the Peloponnese region of Greece to Theodore and Alexandra Economopoulos. She was also raised by her Aunt Drosoula and Uncle John Papadimitrakopoulou after her mother’s untimely death when Katherine was a baby. She is preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Christo Economopoulos and her sister, Dr. Eleni Condoulis.

Katherine completed her education as an elementary school teacher at the Academia Patron in Greece. She moved to the United States in the early 1960s and received her U S citizenship soon thereafter as her family in Greece had aided Allied Forces during World War II. Upon a return trip to Greece in 1966, she met and fell in love with the man who would become her husband, a young doctor named George who had attended medical school with her brother and sister. They were married in January of 1967 and lived in Birmingham, Alabama where George practiced medicine and Katherine worked as his office manager until his semi-retirement in 2012.

In addition to her great love of her family, Katherine was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She volunteered and taught in many capacities, and was a speaker at the annual celebration of Greek Independence Day. She served as cantor for the liturgical services for many years. Katherine will be missed by everyone who knew her. May her memory be eternal.

The family would like to thank her caregivers and the staff at Fairhaven, particularly Carissa and Posey, who made her smile every day and were a lifeline to us during these trying times of COVID restrictions. Visitation will be Thursday, December 10th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Cathedral, with services following immediately thereafter. There will be a private graveside service for family upon the conclusion of the church service. Funeral services will be directed by John Rideout’s – Elmwood chapel.