Obituary of Thelma Gerras Maragos

Died peacefully on April 8th, 2023, at home. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Nicolas Maragos, her granddaughter Elaina Cahill, her parents Aristotle and Maria Gerras, and her sister Stella Papadopoulos. She is survived by her 4 daughters: Dr. Maria (Ron) Gregory, Katina (Michael) Cahill, Joanna (Dr. Bill) Pantazes, Dr. Rita (Gabe) Hurst, 8 grandchildren: Alexander Gregory and Anastasia (Ellis) Chambers, Nick and Kady Cahill, Themi and Athena Pantazes, George and Dominique Hurst; her sisters Sophia Camburako and Rita Koutsourais and many nieces and nephews. Dr. Maragos was born in 1938 in Cleveland, OH, to Harry Gerras (Aristotle Gerapetritis) and Maria Crassas Gerras, Greek immigrants from Greece and Egypt. She grew up in a multigenerational home with her parents, grandmother and 2 older sisters. She graduated salutatorian of her high school, then attended Western Reserve. She then attended Case Western Reserve School of Medicine as one of three women in her class. During spring break while she was in medical school, her family visited Tarpon Springs, where she met Nicolas Maragos, a son of family friends and recent immigrant from Greece. They began a letter writing romance, became engaged by letter, and married in 1964. They moved to Louisville, KY, where she did her residency (1 transitional year, 1 year of surgery, and 3 years of OB/GYN), while Niko attended University of Louisville College of Dentistry. After they both completed school, they moved to Florida in 1970 and settled in St. Petersburg, where they raised their daughters and had their practices in the same office for almost 30 years. She loved everyone and provided excellent gynecological (and psychological) care for her many patients for 30 years, until her retirement in 2000. She always ran late, as she took whatever amount of time her patients needed. She worked part time and took summers off in order to raise her girls. She was an an avid reader and cake decorator and always wore flowery dresses until her later years when she was touched by dementia. She was very active in her church, St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, in many capacities but most recently (up to last week) with the Prayer group, which she started about 30 years ago. She gave up driving at 80 and moved in with Joanna and Bill Pantazes in October 2021 after a fall. She was an amazing woman, loving, peaceful, groundbreaking, brilliant and inspirational. We could not ask for a better mother or role model. She has touched so many lives. Services will be held at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10:30am. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Yaya asked that we do not wear black for the funeral, as we should not be mourning, but happy for her. She lived a long and fulfilling life and was completely ready to meet her Maker. Donations can be made to St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church in lieu of flowers. May her memory be eternal; she will be sorely missed here on earth.

A Makaria is to follow services in the church hall.