Karen Keorpes December 17, 1958 – December 17, 2023
Visitation Thursday December 21, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Maher Funeral Home 17101 71st Avenue, Tinley Park Illinois 60477 (1 Block East of Harlem on 171st Street). Trisagion service at 7:00 PM. Friends and Family asked to meet Friday morning 10:15 AM, December 22nd directly at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church 12307 South Ridgeland Avenue Palos Heights Illinois 60463, for the 10:30 AM Funeral Service. Karen will be laid to rest near her beloved parents at Bethania Cemetery of Justice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Karen’s name will be donated according to the families wishes. Thank you.
For information please call or text Michael Orrico at 815/260-0668 or orricofuneral@comcast.net
On December 17th , in “Karen Style”, she left this world on the same day she came into it, on her birthday, where she peacefully passed away at home alongside her supporting family. Karen leaves behind Dean Keorpes, her incredibly devoted husband, three children: Jim (Jennifer) Keorpes, Peter (Laurel) Keorpes and Amelia (Devin) Wise, whom she showered with love, and four Grandchildren: Grayson, Brogan, Penelope and Constantine that she absolutely adored. Karen was the daughter of departed Peter and Amelia Deligianis and the loving sister of Helen (Don) Schmidt and Mary (Jim) Gianakakis. Although there are no words to describe our amazing Karen, a few come to mind. Loving, Epic, Eccentric, and maybe a little crazy (in a good kind of way). There was never, and never will be, a person quite like her. Her selfless nature to her family and friends was evident even in the darkest of moments and her values that she instilled in her children will live on forever. If you wanted to know the definition of true love, look only at her 44-year marriage to Dean, a true example of what anyone could ever hope for. Karen loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. From warm beach getaways, where she walked miles on the sand alongside her husband, to enjoying gelato (Stat!) on the most incredible vacation to Italy and Croatia with her family only a few years ago. But no matter the destination, the only thing that mattered most was that her family was there and this is what gave her true joy. The memories she shared that gave her the most happiness were always with family and primarily involved food and drink. But truly, isn’t that where all the best memories are always made? From the banquet parties at the Delphian House, holiday gatherings at her sisters or just a simple Wednesday dinner (nothing “simple” about it) at Yiayoula and Papou’s, she simply loved being around her grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, husband, children and grandchildren. This is what she lived for and gave her the most happiness in life. Karen possessed unbelievable talents and was known for her passion of art. Her talented works are a physical part of her that she leaves behind for us. In particular, her final piece on display at her wake. This piece is a symbol of her strength; she pushed through to make certain she completed this work of art even while in the midst of her difficult battle. She not only created these works of art, but as a high school teacher of 23 years passed on these skills to her students and helped them further develop their own skills, not only in the arts, but their futures as young adults. Karen was taken from us much too early. Although she had so much more to give us in this life, she did live a fulfilling and beautiful life that most would never experience even in two lifetimes. The people that she touched was evident in the constant support she had during her battle. Everyone would tell me what an incredible person she is; noting her electric personality, her warm smile and her loving hugs. She was never short of kind words, a willingness to help and quick to make you smile with her uniquely quirky personality. People just could not help but be moved by her and how being around her brought out the happiness in everyone. Certainly, everyone’s life that Karen touched has been made just a little bit brighter. The world may now be not as bright with you gone, but I am so proud to call you, my Mana. Your memory will always burn eternally and, although that cannot replace the brilliant brightness of your life, I hope your flame is bright enough to shine upon us when we need you the most.