Tammy Poletes

Tammy was born on April 4, 1941 in Andritsaina, Greece to Evangelos Theoharis and Angeline Kaplani Marino. She loved growing up in the beautiful mountains of southern Greece with her brother Tom, and sister Anastasia. Even though she cherished her homeland of Greece, she longed for adventure, and immigrated to America in 1960 with her mother and sister, settling in Battle Creek, Michigan. It is there that she met and married her husband of almost 40 years, James G. Poletes.

Tammy was a dedicated, loving, and proud mother to her four children, however, it was her grandchildren who truly captured her heart; they were her greatest achievements and what she was most proud of. Yiayia Tammy treasured her relationships with her grandchildren and devoted her time to cultivating special bonds with each and every one of them. From teaching them how to bake Greek pastries to cheering them on as their biggest fan at their sporting events, she was always there, embracing and making the most of every second with them.

Yiayia Tammy’s daily routine always started with making early morning phone calls to her children and grandchildren to get the “family scoop.” When she was together with her grandchildren, they would pass the time cuddling on the bed watching her favorite reality shows, singing and dancing with them in the kitchen, playing outside with the dogs, or simply stopping to get a quarter pounder from McDonald’s or fried chicken from Popeye’s. Yiayia Tammy showered them with unconditional love and affection.

Tammy was best known for beautiful fashion and not holding back her opinion, and especially her knack for telling it like it is. She always told you the truth, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Everyone knew where they stood with her, she liked you or she didn’t, it was that simple. Yet at the same time, she was full of encouragement, compliments, laughter, and wisdom. She kept everyone on their toes and brightened the world with her beautiful smile and funny sense of humor. All who knew her, loved her dearly, and will never forget her charm, elegance, wit, grace, and beauty.

She will be greatly missed and is survived by her children and their spouses, Peter Poletes, Angela & Jeff Blust, Dr. George & Lisette Poletes, Joanne & George Karras. Her grandchildren include: Demi & Kyle Fritz, Evan Blust, Peter Blust, Elea Karras, Tia Karras, Taki Karras and James Poletes. Her Beloved Nieces and nephews; Dr. Evan & Maggie Theoharis, Grace Keros, Dr. Angela & Joe Badra, Connie Keros, Chris & Janinne Sotiropoulos.

Anxiously awaiting her with loving arms in heaven are her parents Evangelos & Angeline, her loving husband James, her brother Tom, her best friend and sister Anastasia, her beloved granddaughter Georgia, and her dogs, Aleko, Saki and Lucky.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 from 4 - 8pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in East Lansing. Funeral will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lansing, Michigan. Monetary Donations can be made in her honor to her loved Church community and family at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lansing, Michigan.