Dimitra Kefalas

Dimitra Kefalas fell asleep in the Lord, on Monday, May 5, 2025, after a long illness. She was 81 years old.

Born in Volos, Greece on April 17, 1944, Dimitra immigrated to the United Stated in 1967, where she lived in Canton, Ohio after marrying Harry Kefalas. As a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Canton, she participated in the life of the Church and parish activities for decades, including the Koreas Ladies Society, Greek Festival, and the Senior Citizens.

Dimitra endured life's challenges with exceptional grace and fortitude, including losing her father at age 4, leaving her family and country at age 23 for a new life in the United States, and devotedly caring for her husband Harry and his chronic illnesses for over 25 years. A homemaker who deeply loved her faith, family, and friends, she was also a very skilled seamstress whose projects included clothing, religious vestments, and various accessories, for all of which she was known in the community. Her three sons were her greatest joys in life, and she considered raising them to be her finest accomplishment. She especially loved and cherished her grandchildren and sharing her Greek culture and Orthodox Christian faith with them; she was the best Yia Yia that they could ever have. The kindness and generosity of spirit that she expressed to all who knew her, including her warm smile, boisterous laugh, and offer for coffee and a Greek pastry, will remain her greatest legacies. She personified Greek philotimo.

Dimitra was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harry in 2008, her father Naoum and mother Eleni Tsapoularis, four siblings, granddaughter Ava Kefalas, brother-in-law Dr. Harry Papas, and nephew William Wright. She is survived by her loving family, including sons Dr. Costas Kefalas (Dr. Sarah Babai) of Akron, Dr. George Kefalas (Tanya) of North Canton, and Greg Kefalas (Jen) of Astoria, New York; grandchildren Lydia, Arianna, Harrison, John, and Constantine; sister Evanthia Siouras (Andreas) of Volos, Greece; sister-in-law Joanne Papas of Naples, Florida; special and very dear nephews and niece: Dr. Nicholas Papas (Barbara) of Wadsworth, Constantine "Costa" Papas (Brenda) of Louisville, and Christine Papas Wright (Billy) of Dallas, Texas; and additional nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews throughout the United States, Canada, and Greece.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Vitalia Montrose Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Traditions Hospice for their outstanding care.

Friends may pay their respects from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025, with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 p.m., at the Rossi Funeral Home, 730 30th St. N.W., Canton, Ohio. An additional viewing will occur at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4705 Fairhaven Ave. N.W., Canton, Ohio, where the Funeral Service will be held immediately after, at 11 a.m. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Halkias will be officiating. The burial will occur at Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, Ohio, following the Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dimitra's name can be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4705 Fairhaven Ave. N.W., Canton, Ohio, 44709. May her Memory be Eternal.