Martha Stavrakos May 30, 1937 – September 15, 2026
Services for Mrs Stavrakos will be held all in one day on Thursday September 24th at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church 7560 Archer Rd., Justice, IL 60458. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Funeral services will begin promptly at 10:30 AM, immediately after visitation. Martha will be laid to rest alongside her beloved Nick at Bethania Cemetery of Justice Illinois.
For information please call or text Michael Orrico at 815/260-0668
Martha Kalogiannis Stavrakos, born May 30, 1937 in Thessaloniki, Greece, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, with her loving family by her side. Devoted and beloved wife of the late Nick Stavrakos, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Loving mother of Maria Stavrakos, Janet (Rick) Flyer, Stephanie (George) Sigalos, and John (Janet) Stavrakos. She was the proud yiayia of Arianna, Luke, and Katrina Sigalos, and Niki Flyer. Martha was the loving sister of Georgia Kalogiannis and the late Constantine Kalogiannis, and a dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and cherished friend to many. Martha immigrated to Chicago in 1956, and in 1960, she married Nick Stavrakos. They soon began their family, and Martha embraced her role as a loving and devoted mother to their four children. Martha’s passion for cooking began at an early age. At just eight years old, she began cooking alongside her grandmother while her recently widowed mother worked to support the family. Through the years, Martha lovingly mastered the recipes and culinary traditions of her ancestral roots in Asia Minor and became an accomplished expert in Greek cuisine. Her holiday tables were masterpieces—not only of food, but of storytelling, heritage, and tradition. No one ever left hungry after a gathering where Martha oversaw the menu. Her baklava, tsoureki ,koulourakia, yemista, youvarelakia, and briami were legendary. She took great joy in passing along the Greek customs and traditions she treasured to her grandchildren. Her kitchen was her sanctuary, a place filled with love, laughter, wonderful aromas, and often her grand-dog, Charlie, serving as her ever-present “supervisor.” Martha was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and a proud member of St. Helen’s Philoptochos. She also had a lifelong flair for fashion. After raising her children, she built a successful career in the fur salon and retail industries, eventually retiring from Carson Pirie Scott. Martha leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, family, tradition, faith, and generosity—a legacy that will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and generations to come. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. All arrangements entrusted to Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc.