Kornelia (Kay) Feotis Maragakis

Kornelia (Kay) Feotis Maragakis, loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, Yiayia, and friend, peacefully passed on June 29, 2026, with her family by her side.

Kornelia was born in Akron, Ohio on January 14, 1934, to Anthony and Helen (Kalamaridis) Feotis. She was raised in a loving, tight-knit family with her brother John. Her parents instilled in her a deep and abiding love of God, family, and her Greek heritage.

Throughout her beautiful life, Kornelia devoted all her love and energy to her core values: faith, family, and community. Kornelia was a devout member of the Greek Orthodox Church, attending both Holy Trinity Cathedral and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. In 2014, she was a founding member of St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Sandy, Utah. She humbly and faithfully served Christ and His Holy Church with dignity and grace.

On November 6, 1960, she married her beloved husband, John Nick Maragakis, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio. They established their home in Salt Lake City, Utah. John and Kornelia perfectly complimented one another throughout their marriage, each supporting the other’s endeavors.

Kornelia and John devoted their lives to raising their children, Nicholas and Elaina. Kornelia and John prioritized education and always offered their children steady guidance and encouragement. Everything Kornelia and John did, they did as a family. When John passed in 1991, Kornelia exemplified courage, strength, and resilience. While dealing with her own grief, she lovingly guided her children through the most difficult time of their lives.

Kornelia found endless joy in her children, and loved watching them grow and navigate each stage of their lives. She celebrated every accomplishment and soothed every challenge. When her children married, she embraced their spouses, and adored her daughter-in-law Lisa and her son-in-law Steve.

The arrival of her grandchildren John, Michael, Samuel, and Nicholas brought her immeasurable joy, and she relished her role as “Yiayia.” She gave each of them individual attention, embraced their unique personalities, and imparted her wisdom. Summer nights at Yiayia’s house often involved swimming in the pool, followed by dinner, conversation, and a “meze” (snack) while sitting on the front porch. No one ever left hungry. She fed both their stomachs and their souls.

Kornelia was a lifelong member and President of the Philoptochos Society, a women’s philanthropic organization, and infused it with her trademark enthusiasm and ideas. She was a member of the Pancretan Association of America, the local Daughters of Minos Chapter, and the Assistance League of Salt Lake.

Kornelia spent much of her life in the education field, both in volunteer and professional capacities. She was a librarian at Eastwood Elementary, and later became a full time Secretary at Rosecrest Elementary, where she loved interacting with the administration, faculty, and students.

Kornelia embraced and honored her Greek culture. She loved to Greek dance, and her Greek pastries were legendary, especially at Christmastime. She entertained often and her hospitality was boundless. She had a great sense of humor and contagious laughter.  Kornelia surrounded herself with a community of family and wonderful friends whom she loved deeply. She always greeted everyone with her beautiful and genuine smile before she even said a word. She was grateful for her abundant blessings, and articulated her gratitude throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Anthony and Helen Feotis, her brother John Feotis, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Mike and Sylvia Varanakis, Louie and Mary Thiros, and Bob and Leni Cairo. She is survived by her son Dr. Nicholas (Dr. Lisa) Maragakis, daughter Elaina (Steve Simos) Maragakis Simos, grandchildren John, Michael, Samuel, and Nicholas, and many extended family members, Koumbari, and Godchildren.

The family extends sincere gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine of Denver and Reverend Fr. Anthony Savas for their spiritual guidance and friendship, and Kornelia’s loving friends and caregivers Julie, Lara, Iolanda, and Mya.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 9201 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah, with a Trisagion service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, July 6, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations in Kornelia’s memory to St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, 9201 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah 84094, or www.stannaGOCUtah.org.

May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21.