Bessie “YiaYia” Kritikos left this earth on Saturday January 9, 2021. Bessie was born in Karyes, Sparta, Greece September 6th 1938. As a child she lived through German occupation and World War II. As a teenager she lived through civil war in Greece which ravaged the country. In the mid 1950’s she left Greece with her mother and siblings as refugees to rendezvous with their father and make a new life in America. Her family was fortunate enough with their work ethic to make a better life in America. Bessie met her future husband, Konstantinos “Gus” Kritikos, in 1958 in Chicago Illinois. They were wed in December of 1958 and stayed married until Gus’ death in 1998. If you asked Bessie, she would tell you that her greatest accomplishment was her 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and the respect and strength of her family. Her other accomplishment that meant the most was becoming a United States Citizen. The family moved to Houston in January of 1975. Throughout those years to present day, several family members have owned restaurants in the Greater Houston Area including but not limited to The Olive Oil Greek Restaurant, Mom’s Country Kitchen, and Mom’s Country Deli. She was known all over Houston as Bessie, Mom, and most importantly YiaYia which means grandmother in Greek. She was our restaurant matriarch. Over the years you could walk into any of the restaurants and see YiaYia behind the cash register or at a table making sure everything was juuuuusssttt right. She was the center of attention, not because she was brash or craved to be, but because her love, affection and understanding nature were sought after by every individual she came in contact with. People would gravitate towards her just to feel her warmth and compassion. Whether she wanted it or not, she was the first person that everyone greeted at any event. Whether it be out of respect, love, compassion or spirit, there was an undeniable attraction to her. To have known YiaYia is to know what true love and kindness really are. To put it simply she was wonderful.
YiaYia was preceded in death by her husband Gus Kritikos, her daughter Helen, Her father Demostenis Trakas, Her Mother Constantina Trakas, Her sisters Mary Panapoulos, Helen Trakas, and Renee Trakas, Her brothers Peter Trakas, Bill Trakas, and her son-in-law Tom Ferlias.
YiaYia is survived by her siblings George Trakas and Joanne Mourikes. Her Children Mary Kritikos, Nick and Debra Kritikos, Dina and George Kelley, Toula and John Huliaris. Her grandchildren Lisa and Frank Guzman, Teddy Ferlias, Vicky and Adam Calderon, Gus Kritikos, Chris Kritikos, Vasili Kritikos, George Kelley, Renee Kelley, George Huliaris, Marianna and Troy Stell, Adrian Amaya, Danielle and Romeo Rivera. Her great grandchildren Giovanni, Xavier, Avian, Anisa, Alani, Athena, Miracle, Eleni, Julian, Jazmyn, Romeo Jr., and Rozalee.
She will also be missed by her cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and all the people that she touched in her wonderful, incedible life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor her memory and life can be made to Marisa’s Purpose: Faith Hope and Love at marisaspurpose.org or St. Jude’s Hospital.
May her memory remain Eternal.
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