Katherine Yianilos

Katherine A. Yianilos, beloved matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully at her home and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. She was 97 years old.

A resident of the Winter Park/Orlando area since the early 1960’s, she was an avid supporter of and volunteer to many community organizations during the early years of raising her family—including the Morse Gallery at Rollins College and Orange Memorial Hospital. Kay also served on the Board of the Orlando Day Nursery. She was a founding member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Orlando and a member of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, whose mission is to promote philanthropic outreach in the community.

After her husband Christ passed away, followed by her brother/business partner James a few years later, Kay was thrust into the role of President of the Ranch House Restaurants in Central Florida. During her tenure, Kay doubled the size of the company to 22 locations, modernized the business, and launched a new venture, Harvey’s Eating Parlor Restaurants. After the sale of the restaurants in the early 1980’s, Kay, along with her son Dean, transitioned into the commercial/investment real estate business, remaining a consultant even after her retirement at age 80.

Though Kay found success in the corporate world, her true devotion was to her family. She opened her home to all to feel loved and welcomed, while weaving together a close-knit family that spanned her nieces and nephews, and numerous friends of her children. Close to her heart were her nephew Bill (Argeros) and her niece Kathe (Vezos/Milner), who would both spend much of their childhoods at her home. In the last few years, her niece Vivian became a beloved companion to her as well. Kay cherished every moment with them and with the many others who walked through her open doors. She was a mentor and a role model to many, always ready with kind words and wise advice.

Kay was born on June 27th, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, and spent most of her early years in Buffalo, New York. She attended college at the University of Buffalo. Kay married her beloved husband Christ in 1950 and welcomed two children into the world, her son Dean and her daughter Teddi. She also helped raise her niece Dorothy from the age of six months and loved her as a daughter.

Kay was known as a woman of grace, strength, beauty and determination. She was a trailblazer who broke the glass ceiling in the corporate world, all without sacrificing her femininity. She was the quintessential hostess, with an unmatched eye for design. Kay loved to travel, yet her favorite place to go was her second home in New Smyrna Beach. She could be feisty at times, yet she will be remembered foremost as a powerhouse of love and humor and a compass to us all. Her loss will be felt by the many who loved her dearly.

Katherine is survived by her son, Dean Yianilos (Bonnie) of Winter Park; daughter, Teddi Thomas (Tres) of Orlando; grandchildren, Chris Thomas (AZ) and AJ Thomas IV; daughter (niece), Dorothy Campbell Lotspeich (Karl) of Oakton, VA; Dorothy’s children, Taylour Ann Rasmussen (Jeff), Cole Campbell and Cassie Campbell, and grandchildren, Wells and Wake; adored nieces and nephews, Bill Argeros (Rebecca), and his children Nicole (Joe), Michelle; and brother James Argeros’ family, Vivian, Ted (Alice), Jimmy, Jason and Nick Ryan.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Christ; her parents Theodore and Dorothy (Yia Yia) Argeros; her brothers, James Argeros and George Argeros; and nephew Steve Argeros.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, December 29th, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Orlando. The service will be immediately followed by a reception in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Orlando in honor of Katherine Yianilos.

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

 "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."