Dorothy A. Kanaris

Dorothy A. Kanaris of Willow Springs, IL, (formerly of Florida) passed away peacefully on May 12, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Mark Kanaris, loving mother of Evangeline and Peter, his wife Katie, and doting grandmother to Alexandra, Mark, and Christopher. Her sister Alice Leonard, late brother James A. James, sister-in-law Barbara James and her many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children remain as always close to her heart.

Born May 29, 1929 to the parents of Greek immigrants, Angel and Katina James in Indianapolis. She grew up with many friends and a strong sense of community. A graduate of Shortridge High School, she earned a BA degree from the Western College for Women (now part of University of Miami).

While on a family summer trip to Greece, she met and married her husband in an eight-week whirlwind romance, which really, never ended. The newlyweds moved to Chicago and, when Mark finished his general practice medicine residency, they opened an office where they worked together—Mark taking care of the patients and Dorothy handling all the administration and finances. As the family grew and Mark’s practice expanded, she became involved in many non-profits, including the Women’s Auxiliary at Christ Hospital. A brilliant lady with a quick wit and many interests, she loved the opera, ballet, and symphony. An avid bridge card player, she came close to her goal later in life to be a life master.

Visitation will be on Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a Funeral Liturgy following at 11:00 am at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, Illinois. Graveside Service will follow at Bethania Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. Masks are required.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, https://www.nkfi.org, or Autism Speaks, https://www.autsimspeaks.org.

May her memory be eternal.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home. For information, please call 708-636-1200. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelHillGardensSouth.com for the Kanaris family.