Maria Axotis (nee Vlachos), age 88, was the beloved mother of Antonia (Eugene) Beiriger, Carrie (Neil) Codell, Dina Rotolo, and sons Alex and Ted (Kristen). Adored grandmother of Alexandra, Anastasia (Emre), Bryce, Camille, Cristiano and Tia. She was the cherished wife of Anton Axotis for 43 years. Maria lived her days for her family and was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Maria was born in Waukegan in 1932, the devoted daughter of Gus and Garifalia Vlachos. She was a 1950 graduate of Waukegan High School and worked in her father’s restaurant, The North Shore Café in Waukegan, following high school. As her family grew up, Maria worked as a teacher’s aide in the Waukegan Public Schools and as a sign language interpreter. She assisted families as a Greek language interpreter also.
Service to her church and community were important to Maria. She was a lifelong member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Waukegan/Libertyville. She served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and was a member of Philoptochos. She participated in an interfaith bible study and was a member of Church Women United.
She was a volunteer for many years at Vista East Hospital in Waukegan, at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in North Chicago; was active in her children’s schools as a room mother and chaired the Lake Forest Academy Antiques Show. She volunteered with PADS Lake County. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Maria loved to travel, and she and Anton visited China, Great Britain, Ireland, Greece, Italy. They took their family on many meandering road trips through the U.S. in the family station wagon. After her husband’s passing, Maria continued her love of adventure and visited Panama, Mexico, Canada. Maria loved to read, enjoyed movies and was a season ticket holder to the Lyric Opera. She was blessed with many wonderful friends and extended family members.
Maria’s greatest joy in life was her family and she delighted in spending time with her children and grandchildren, taking an active interest in their lives, engaging in conversations over shared meals and endless cups of coffee. She encouraged them in their endeavors, celebrated milestones and took pride in their accomplishments.
Maria passed away on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2021, after a day spent with her family by her side. She will be dearly missed.
Services at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Libertyville, IL. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral services will be private. A celebration of Maria’s life will be planned at a later date when safe to do so. Memorial donations to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 O’Plaine Rd. Libertyville, IL 60048; PADS Lake County, Attn: Development, 1800 Grand Avenue, Waukegan IL 60085 or padslakecounty.org, or the Veteran’s Administration Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Community Affairs, c/o Kenneth List, 3001 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064 would be appreciated.
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