Evelyn Pappageorge

July 9, 1926 - June 21, 2018

Evelyn Pappageorge, often referred to as ‘Aunt 11’ (due to her being prettier than a ‘10’) died as she wanted peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was a true Cretan mother who would have battled and possibly won against an army to protect her family. She was a beautiful woman who possessed natural elegance and style. Once described as ‘holding court’ when she entered a room.

She was born in Davenport, California, raised in San Francisco, the fourth and only girl of 5 (deceased brothers Nick, Leftare of Bakersfield and Manny). She is survived by her brother Costa of Idaho (last man standing). As the only girl she was pampered by her parents and made tougher by her rambunctious and protective brothers. Her parents, Peter and Katherine Delis (Delakis) and her eldest brother Nick Delis immigrated from Crete in the 1920’s. At age 8 her father died in an auto accident. Her eldest brother Nick took over the role as father to his 3 brothers and sister. Nick continued to raise them in his home even after he married. She used to talk about the love and fun they had in their home growing up. Greek music, dancing, parties and wonderful food all the time. She was brought up in the San Francisco Greek community and it was common to get together socially at night, her home being one that hosted people often.

She graduated from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco. Her first job was at Livingston brothers at age 14. She applied for a sales job but was asked to be a model for them. At that time her family thought of modeling as improper and she therefore refused and took the sales job. She later worked for her brother Nick until she married. She always credited him with her acumen in business.

She married Peter Pappageorge whose parents were from the Sparta area of Greece. It was somewhat of a scandal that Evelyn did not marry a Cretan. Pete used to introduce her as a Cretan and he as a Greek. They had two children Stephanie (Bill Noryko) and Nick (Kathy Glafkides). Family was her deepest passion and Motherhood was the pinnacle of this passion. Nick and Stephanie always knew how important and loved they were by their Mom.

When her children went to college she obtained her Real Estate License. It was never a priority to her but her natural business aptitude resulted in her doing well for the time she put into it. Whatever she endeavored in business through the years she succeeded in whether it was fund raising (she sold the most $100 raffle tickets ever for Holy Trinity) or raising money for the Son’s of Pericles (Columbus or Bust), or buying stocks or real estate she always came out successful. Her family knew that if she had ever seriously been employed by a company she would have risen to become the CEO. When she became a grandmother (Kristy and Peter Noryko, Mariana and Peter Pappageorge) Real Estate became less important. As loving as she was as a mother she became as a grandmother and in her last years her biggest delight were her two great grandsons (mom Karen) James and Luke.

In addition to her family, she was passionate about her Church (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church) her Greek heritage and this country. She was a fierce patriot crediting this country as the reason for her and her family’s financial successes and freedom. Daily she thanked God for his assistance. Not only was her church important to her religiously but it was also, after her family, her favorite source of her social life. She was a member of the Daughters of Penelope, Philoptochos and she so enjoyed the monthly ORA lunches at church as well as the coffee hours every Sunday after liturgy, her Friday’s at the bagel shop with her girlfriends, as well as her monthly girl’s poker game.

Until the day she died, when people saw her they would comment on how beautiful and regal she was. She was often referred to as ‘Jackie 0’.

To talk about her life and what was important to her, not only her husband,children,brothers and sisters in laws can be mentioned. She had 12 nieces and nephews she adored and now many more as they have married (she instantly adopted into the family ) and their children. Nothing made her happier than when we were all together.

Services will be held Wednesday, June 27, at

7 pm and Thursday, June 28, at 11 am, both at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox church, Belmont. In lieu of flowers, she would have liked donations be made to her church. A special thanks to her loving friend ‘caregiver’ Ivy.