Josephine Kaiafas

Josephine Kaiafas (née Gikas), of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 26th. Born in Domvraina, Greece on October 16, 1944, she immigrated with her mother, Ekaterini Gikas (née Pilitsis), to Detroit in 1955, joining her father, John Gikas, who had arrived to the United States three years prior.

Josephine distinguished herself in academics and, despite the fact that English was not her first language, she graduated from River Rouge High School in 1963 as class valedictorian. She was the first member of her family to attend college and earned a Bachelor of Art in History from Wayne State University in 1967. She later returned to earn a Master of Education in English as a Second Language. She combined her love of history with education throughout her career as a popular and engaging teacher at River Rouge High School, Brownell Middle School, and Grosse Pointe South High School.

In 1969, Josephine married Peter Kaiafas, the love of her life, and shared 46 wonderful years with him. They had three children, starting with daughter, Kathleen, and sons, George, and Yianni. Josephine was a devoted and loving mother, who considered her children the absolute pride and joy of her life. She especially loved vacations with her extended family in her summer home in Greece.

Josephine loved her friends as though they were family, and cherished her family as though they were treasured friends. She was a caring, generous and kind person and involved in her community. She was an active member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, and served as President of the Daughters of Penelope Thamyris Chapter - an educational and philanthropic organization dedicated to Hellenism. Her many achievements include raising funds for the Hellenic Museum of Michigan and scholarships for the AHEPA Educational Foundation. She was proud of her Greek heritage and culture, which she celebrated through her love of ancient art, literature and world history. She combined her love of education and Greek culture by teaching Greek School at Assumption.

Josephine is predeceased by her husband and her parents. She is survived by her brother, Peter (Michelle) Gikas; her three children, Kathleen Kaiafas-Chasiotis, George (fiancé Alexis Bohlinger) Kaiafas, and Yianni (Sarah) Kaiafas; and her five grandchildren: Sophia, Josephina, Peter, Lyanna, and Frances. She is also survived by her numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and her many friends.

May her memory be eternal.

A visitation for Josephine will be held Sunday, December 29, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A trisagion will occur Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 6:30 PM. A visitation will occur Monday, December 30, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Rd, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080. A funeral will occur Monday, December 30, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Rd, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080.