December 23, 1929 – April 26, 2022
It is with great sadness and heartache that we announce the loss of our family matriarch, our mother, Catherine (Kay/Nini) Papadakis Argendeli at the age of ninety-two. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Nick, her parents, Emmanuel and Maria Papadakis, siblings: Christina, Stanley, and Dean, and cherished sister-in-law Sophie. She is survived by her children: son Bill Argendeli (Sheila), son Jim Argendeli (Cindy) who managed her affairs the past five years, and beloved daughter Maria Sweet (Mark); grandchildren: Walker Argendeli, her companion the last few years, Joshua Sweet, Alicia Sweet, and Evangelia Argendeli; nieces and nephews: Emmanuel Papadakis (Maria), Ted Papadakis (Carole), and Aggie Garcia (Fernando), Beverly Meyer (Jerry), Gregory Argendeli and Janene Argendeli; and loved ones: Barbara Gilman, Teppi Alexander, and Coryn Wilson; and beloved cats and dogs Niki, Omelet, Turbo, and Ruckus who all knew firsthand her love and generous of spirit never failing to gulp down the portions she made a point of setting aside for them at every meal.
Kay was born in 1929 in Montreal, Canada. She graduated from Trafalgar School for Girls where she studied business. After graduation, she worked as a typist. She met Nick at a church event and they were married on June 2, 1956. In 1968, Nick’s work moved the family to Holliston, Massachusetts and their first house. They made many lifelong friends there, where they were also active members of the Greek Orthodox Church. Their next move would be to Stone Mountain, Georgia in 1973, where Kay continued her involvement with her church. She joined the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, St. Katherine’s, Danaos Society, the Golden Group, and volunteered for many years at the Greek Festival working in the Bakaliko (Greek Country Store) alongside her husband.
Kay possessed a keen eye for creative design: crafting, painting and assembling numerous beautiful projects which under her hand became far more than the sum of their parts. She also loved to cook Greek treats, savory & sweet, for others to enjoy. Many lovely hours were spent in the kitchen with family & friends, and her cooking - always made with love - was legendary to all lucky enough to have tasted it. She was well-known for her wicked sense of humor. She was also known as a caring and loyal friend, with a loving heart full of kindness and thoughtfulness for those in need. Her home was always open, and she would shower guests with her hospitality of delicious, home-cooked meals and entertaining stories to make them laugh. You always felt welcome.
Kay adored spending time with her family and cherished her life with Nick. They loved to travel and their favorite trips were to Canada, Greece and France.
Visitation will be Friday, April 29 from 11:00am to 11:30am at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Road NE Atlanta. Funeral begins immediately after in the sanctuary. The service will be live-streamed on the Church website. Interment to follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Kay.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillsfuneral.com for the Argendeli family.