Despina “Josephine” Kackloudis

Despina “Josephine” Kackloudis (nee Manolios), age 96; beloved wife of the late Steve; loving mother of John (wife Karen), Stephanie, and Nicholas; devoted YiaYia of Daphne; and great-Yia Yia of Quinn Saneholtz; cherished daughter of the late Nicholas and Argero (nee Sevastaki) Manolios; dearest sister of Mike (wife Kit) and the late John (wife Kay, deceased); treasured godmother of Evanthia Pallam; dear aunt and great-aunt of many. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Josephine to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Tribute to Mom

Despina (Josephine) Kackloudis was 96 years old; born in Cleveland, Ohio to Greek immigrant parents from Samos, Greece. In 1947 she married one of the “Crazy Kackloudis Boys”, Stavros (Steve) and they had three children, John, Stephanie and Nick over the next 8 years. She was widowed in 1969 at the young age of 47 and devastated as she was, she single handedly raised and guided her children for the next 49 years. 

Despina was a very kind and attentive Mom who taught her children the basics of life; how to build a solid foundation and become a compassionate, caring individual, how to trust in God, how to budget, how to sew and bake, how to always look your best and how to capture every glorious moment of life…. All the way to 96! 

Her work career began at 19 working in a bridal shop until she got married and raised her family. At the age of 49 she ventured back out to the working world as a hostess and cashier. Working with money was her strong suit, always balancing to the penny. She worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital for 12 years and one day she received a call from Admissions to interpret for a young Greek couple from Greece, Maria and Christo. That meeting turned into a life long friendship. She always said “everything happens for a reason” and that came true over and over. Once she retired from Mt. Sinai, she moved to Sagamore Hills and got her “a little part time job” at Marcs. That little job lasted over 12 years and she turned in her last cash drawer at 93! 

Growing up in a strong Orthodox home, Despina and Stavros lived a life of faith filled with love and lots of crazy holidays with The Kackloudis Clan. She loved being a YiaYia to Daphne and her great-grandson, Quinn brought her overwhelming joy. She was a true Noona to Vanthe and always regarded that title as an honor. She was an integral part of Sts. Constantine’s, volunteering for wherever she was needed; the Library committee, Philoptochos, The Greek Festival, serving coffee after the liturgy or luncheons for bereaved families. 

And didn’t she always look beautiful… we loved to play the age guessing game with her as it was impossible to guess that number. Everyone was always off by 10 or 15 years with her smooth unwrinkled complexion. 

We love you Mom and already miss you. Thank you for giving us all the gifts and treasures of life. 

John, Stevie and Nick

Funeral Service Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts, OH 44118 at 11 AM. Burial following at Lake View Cemetery. Family will receive guests and celebrate the life of Josephine at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.) MONDAY 4-8 PM, Trisagion Service at 6:30 PM.