Diana Petrakis

Diana Petrakis, nee Perparos, age 96 of Dune Acres, Chesterton, IN passed away on Christmas evening at home surrounded by loving family. She was born on August 12, 1922 in Chicago, IL to John and Esther Perparos. On September 30, 1945, she married author Harry Mark Petrakis, who survives her.Diana is survived by her sons Mark, John (Carolyn) and Dean; her grandchildren Alexis (Aaron), Lucas, Adriana, the late Nicholas Petrakis and her great-granddaughter Mariana (Copeland), along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.She is also preceded in death by her sister Maria (George) Papangelis of Northfield, IL and brother George (Mary Jo) Perparos of Des Plaines, IL.Diana was the center of a large extended Greek-American family, that took root in the southeast side of Chicago neighborhoods of South Shore and Hyde Park, near the Greek Orthodox Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen, of which her father-in law Rev. Mark E. Petrakis was rector until his death in 1951.Diana was famous for her cooking and for opening her home for holiday dinners and summer events on Lake Michigan. Stories of her incredible baklava are legendary. Her generosity, lovely smile, and infectious laughter could be guaranteed to light up a room. An avid reader, she was still reading a multitude of books until just a few months ago. A Memorial Service for her will be held on Wednesday January 2, 2019 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 p.m at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Highway in Palos Hills, IL 60465. Friends and family are asked to meet  for a church service the next day, Thursday January 3, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 11025 South Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465. Internment private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Diana to the National Hellenic Museum<https://www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/support/donate/>    Memories may be shared by email sent to diana@petrakis-family.com