Christine Pavlakis

RENO - Christine (Stina) Pavlakis died peacefully at her home in Reno on February 23, 2024. She was 92 years old.

Christine was born in Ely, Nevada on July 25, 1931 to Maria Garifalou and Antonios Pavlakis.

She graduated from White Pine High School in 1950. Christine worked her way to a bachelor’s degree in education, graduating from UNR in 1954. She taught school for 36 years at Veterans Memorial Elementary in Reno. In January of 1980 Christine was named Teacher of the Month by the Greater Reno Chamber of Commerce. She was a strict disciplinarian known for her involvement in her student’s lives. She taught the importance of children being “community helpers” by stressing sharing, playing games together, and learning cooperation. She loved children and liked to help them socially and academically. Her students couldn’t pronounce her last name, so they lovingly called her “Pavy”.

For many years after going to Reno to earn her degree, Christine would go back to Ely in the summer and help her mother by working in her bakery, the Ely Pastry Shop (known state-wide for their wonderful bread and pastries). Christine continued to open the bakery in the summer every year after her mother passed.

Christine and her sister Arene (Rene) made their home together in Reno where Arene continues to live.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents and her four brothers, Lazo (Willa) Pavlakis, Sevastos (Sto) Pavlakis, Jimmy Pavlakis and George (Irene) Pavlakis.

A liturgy will be held at the St. Alexios Greek Orthodox Church in Ely, Nevada on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., services to follow at 10:30 a.m.