Obituary of Sophia G. Athanasiou
Age 84, of Cary, IL and formerly of Lemont, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on July 25, 1941, in Sellas, Greece to Sotirios and Demetra (Mellas) Papaefthimiou.
Sophia was known for her love of Christ, His Church, and her family, and took great care in sharing the Orthodox Faith and Greek culture and traditions with her family and community. Sophia was overjoyed to be a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved to cook and bake, garden vegetables and peonies, and spend time at the beach in Greece. Sophia was a part of the Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet. She served everyone around her with dedication and generosity. Her love, strength, and gratitude was an inspiration to all.
Sophia is survived by her two daughters, Maria (Anthony) Kroll of Cary, IL and Demitra (Nicholas) Andretich of Lockport, IL; nine grandchildren, Alexandra, Sofia (Alexander), Daniel, Nina (fiancé Sebastian), Maximos, and Julia Kroll, George (fiancee Grace), Anna, and Luke Andretich; great-granddaughter, Anastasia; her two sisters; her three in-laws; numerous nieces and nephews, and their children.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved and devoted husband, George; her four brothers; and in-laws.
Visitation for Sophia G. Athanasiou will be Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Trisagion Services at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 30, 2026, at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Joliet at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Joliet.
The family has requested to live stream the services of their loved one on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Please click on this link https://youtube.com/@allsaints-live-stream?feature=shared to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, IL or St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin, IL.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
