Elaine Pano Karatassos

Elaine, age 82, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord early Monday morning, June 28, after suffering many years with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born and raised in Savannah. Her beloved parents were Pano I. Karatassos and Theona Donkar Karatassos.

Elaine graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. After helping at the family deli and restaurant, Pano’s Food Shop, she became employed doing office work with Aunt Helen Karatassos at Photocraft. Afterwards, for about 25 years, she worked at the Social Security Administration, as the Data Review Technician. She was awarded for having the lowest error percentage than the national average.

Her entire life was devoted to her Faith at St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church, keeping with the Holy Traditions and teachings, singing in the choir as an alto until she no longer could, decorating with flowers on the Feast Days, such as Easter and Christmas. To her, the happiest place to be was always at the church.

Elaine was an artist. She, with her twin sister Effie, was assigned by her teachers to do various artwork from the first grade at Charles Ellis School to the 12th grade at Savannah High. She designed bulletins, signs for St. Paul, and at work for SSA Fair Booths.

Elaine loved people, especially children. Many times as young women, she and her twin found time to play games and activities with family, friends, and neighborhood children. She would teach them art in the twins’ studio and teach young girls basketball skills at St. Paul’s.

Later in life, she helped to serve her beloved, now deceased, aunts and uncles, visiting and running errands for them when needed.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents, and her dear younger brother Eli.

She is survived by her brother Ignatius Pano Karatassos and his wife Georgia (Tissoura) of Atlanta; her sister, Evanthia (Eva) Dukakis and her husband Stratos of Massachusetts; twin sister, Effie P. Karatassos; her youngest sister, Elsie P. Karatassos; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 14 West Anderson Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 3, at St. Paul’s. Interment is at Greenwich Cemetery.