Obituary of Katherine June Spathis

Katherine June Spathis, age 90, was lovingly taken home by God on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in Reedley, California. Born on June 4, 1933, in Vallejo, California to James and Helen Peterson (Petrithis), Katherine spent her early years in a house built by her father. In 1945, her family moved to a farm in Stockton, where she nurtured chickens, ducks, and played an integral role in managing the family's walnut grove. Before her marriage to Jerry Elias Spathis, Katherine danced as an Arthur Murray Dance instructor and proudly stood as one of the first female cabinet makers to join her union. Katherine and Jerry exchanged vows at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church of Stockton in 1959 and were soon blessed with three children. In 1965, the family settled in Kerman, California, where Katherine embraced her roles as a wife, mother, homemaker, and enjoyed her community at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Fresno. Katherine and Jerry moved to Lodi in 1996 to be closer to relatives and the Greek community they cherished for so many years.

Katherine honed her ballroom dancing skills at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. With a love for art, she took oil painting and ceramic painting classes, nurturing her creativity. She could sit at her piano and play any tune by ear and especially enjoyed playing beloved Greek songs. Her adoration for her Greek heritage was strong. Katherine took her family on several trips to Greece to visit her beloved cousins in Naousa and enjoy long summers in Kaligata, Kefalonia, the village where Jerry was raised. She was an intrepid camper, Brownie/Girl Scout Troop Leader, and contributor to community school needs. Katherine took pride in her ability to sew and craft for her children and their friends when they needed Greek dance costumes or outfits for special events. She had annual canning traditions and loved her sewing projects. Together with Jerry, their garage became a hub of wine-making, generously sharing bottles with friends and visitors.

Katherine and Jerry shared 41 years of marriage before his passing in 2000. She is cherished by her daughters, Anna Spathis and Eleni March; son, Dimitrios Spathis; grandchildren, Dimitrios March, Alexis Eberle, Zoe March, Sophia March, Athena Spathis, Paul Stavropoulos, and Dean Stavropoulos; and great-grandson, Mason March.

A Trisagion will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 6 pm at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 S Fairmont Ave, Lodi, CA 95240, officiated by Fr. Dino Pappademos. The Funeral Service is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10 am at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 920 W March Ln, Stockton, CA 95207, led by Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras. A burial site visit will follow, concluding with a picnic at Emerson Park Lion's Den, 11 N. Hutchins Street, Lodi, CA 95240.

Katherine’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to Zoe, Sophia, Eleni, and Jeff March for their unwavering care, devotion and love over the past three and a half years. Their bond with YiaYia, as Katherine was known to them, was one of unconditional love and built on countless shared memories. The family also acknowledges the compassionate care from Elia Castillo de Rosas and the hospice team at Asera Care of Fresno. Sincere thanks are extended to Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras for his comforting home visits and prayers during her last years in Stockton and Lodi. The family takes solace knowing that while YiaYia's songs, laughs, and loving hugs will be deeply missed, she rests in the gentle embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ.