Ekaterini “Katina" Gergerakis

Our loving Wife, Mother, Sister, and Yiayia Katina Gergerakis passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, surrounded by her devoted family. Born on May 22, 1938, in a little village called Kaina in Crete, Greece, she was the fifth of six daughters born to Christos and Georgia Giatrakis.

Katina met her beloved husband, George Gergerakis, in 1960 at a friend’s party. George had the courage to approach Katina and tell her he liked her necklace, and the rest is history. Katina and George got married September 8, 1962, and shortly thereafter had their two daughters, Angie in 1964 and Georgette in 1966. In 1967, they decided to immigrate to America and create a better life for their family. Fortunately for them, they were able to move in with Katina’s sister and brother-in-law, Kostoula and Mitch Manousakis, who lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. Once settled into Utah, they had their youngest daughter Mary in 1971.

Katina was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake. She helped make pastries for the annual Greek Festival, was a member of Daughters of Minos, and was a beloved member of her neighborhood and Greek community. When Katina wasn’t serving her church, she was running a daycare out of her home, which lasted over 30 years. This daycare was not just a business for Katina; it was a labor of love. Her warm and nurturing nature made her a beloved figure among the kids she cared for, and they, in turn, formed strong attachments to her. Her dedication and love for the children she cared for left a lasting impact on the community and will be remembered for years to come.

Anyone who knew Katina knew that the things she loved most in this world were her family, friends, and feeding people. Katina was an amazing cook and would carry food in her purse just in case someone got hungry. She would never take no for an answer and was quite stubborn… But always for good reason. She was a fighter - her family thought they were going to lose her in 2016 to a series of health conditions but she ended up proving all of her doctors wrong by living for another 7 years. Unfortunately, this last battle was too much for her and she was called by God to come home.

Katina is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, George Gergerakis, daughters, Angie, Georgette (Jim) Katsanevas, Mary (Frank) Paulos, grandchildren, Madeline (Cole), Katerina (Dimitri) Cayias, Niko, Manoli, George, Katina, and sisters, Anna Fyntrilaki and Kostoula Manousakis; Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends both in the United States and Greece. She was preceded in death by her parents, Christos and Georgia Giatrakis, sisters; Theano, Lilika, Marika, brother-in-law, Mitch Manousakis.

Katina and George’s love was the type of love that was said to inspire others, a love that one can only hope to have one day. George continued to serenade his wife until the very end, and they would constantly hold hands and tell each other they loved one another every single day. They have been able to teach us all how to love and appreciate our loved ones and to never take anyone for granted.

Viewing and funeral services will be held on Wednesday October 4th at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Interment, Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Γιαγιά, σ’ αγαπάμε πάρα, πάρα πολύ. Αιώνια η μνήμη σου.

May her memory be eternal.