Catherine L. Stamatakis

February 18, 1926 – October 26, 2026

Catherine L. Stamatakis, 100, passed away peacefully at home in Morgantown, West Virginia on October 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born February 18, 1926, in Canton, Ohio, she lived a remarkable century filled with love and service.

The only child of Charles and Mary (Cacchione) Zambetas, Catherine—who used the shortened surname Zam in school—graduated near the top of her class at Canton McKinley High School in 1944. She enjoyed working in the football ticket office and remained a devoted Bulldogs fan throughout her life. In her youth, Catherine played the accordion and delighted in many kinds of music and dancing. She had a special fondness for big band music and cherished memories of evenings at Meyers Lake Moonlight Ballroom, where she saw some of the country’s most celebrated bands perform. She was also a fan of Elvis Presley and enjoyed square dancing. After graduation, she worked for Western Union Telegraph Company until marrying Emmanuel ("Mike") Stamatakis in 1958.

Catherine and Mike shared many happy years until his death in 1997. Mike owned Mike’s Furniture on Cherry Street in downtown Canton; Catherine handled the bookkeeping and supported the business behind the scenes. They raised two daughters and were active in the local Greek community. While she did not have the opportunity to attend college herself, Catherine believed deeply in the power of education, and took immense joy in seeing each of her daughters earn college and advanced degrees. Catherine was a member of St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Canton and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Morgantown, West Virginia.

After her children left home, Catherine found a new calling as a volunteer tutor in an adult literacy program through the Stark County District Library, where she touched many lives with her patience and compassion. Her students found new opportunities and hope through literacy. She also volunteered at Plain Center School where she enjoyed reading to children. She was a lifelong learner whose passion for knowledge and curiosity about the world inspired her children, grandchildren and students to embrace learning throughout their lives.

Catherine had a gift for making people feel welcome and valued. Strangers would often find themselves telling her their life stories. She embodied nonjudgmental, unconditional love, extending it not only to family and close friends but also to her daughters’ friends, who loved spending time at her home. She expressed her love through food, delighting family and friends with her homemade baklava, sugar cookies, and many traditional Greek dishes. As the years passed and Catherine outlived many of her own generation, those young people became cherished friends in their own right.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Stamatakis (Michael Shklar) of Lempster, New Hampshire and Mary Stamatakis (Paul Valachovic) of Morgantown, West Virginia; grandchildren Rachel Shklar (Mark Benton) of Columbia, Missouri, Abraham Shklar (Jensine Junus) of San Diego, California, Nicholas Valachovic (fiancé Sarah Momen) of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Sophia Valachovic of Los Angeles, California; and her great-granddaughter Charlotte Benton of Columbia, Missouri. She is also survived by her godson, George Detorakis of Akron, Ohio; cousins Cathy Adkins of Waynesburg, Ohio, and Ric Cacchione of Columbus, Ohio; close friend Ellen Linz of Canton, Ohio; and Gail Shifman, Lisa (Buck) Ahern, and other friends in her children’s generation who loved her.

Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Emmanuel "Mike" Stamatakis; her parents; her cousins Helen (Pappas) Dewey and Dianne (Cacchione) Geramita; and many other beloved friends and family members.

Family and friends will be received at the Rossi Family Funeral Home, 730 30th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, with Greek Orthodox Trisagion Service at 6:00 PM, and at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. The funeral service will begin in the church at 10:00 AM. Burial to be at Forest Hill Cemetery and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her memory.