Koula Tsaknis 1931-2026

Kay was born July 3, 1931, in Martins Ferry, the third child of George and Kaliope Maounis Amorgeanos. As a young girl, growing up in Warren, she was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School.

A hard worker from a young age, her love of classic movies came from working the candy counter at the Robins Theatre in downtown Warren.

Kay met the love of her life, Michael John Tsaknis, and they were married Aug. 31, 1952. Michael was her beloved husband for 63 years until his passing. They began their family in Campbell and later built a home in Boardman in 1965, where they resided for over 60 years.

Kay began her career at Packard Electric, working on the harness line. Because of her excellent work ethic, she was promoted to department desk clerk, and later she advanced as the private administrative assistant to the general manager at the Victoria Road Complex. She was a devoted employee, often working late hours in order to ensure quality performance.

Kay was a member of St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church and was a longtime member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. One of Kay’s favorite pastimes was getting together with her dinner club, a group of dear friends and their daughters, which has been in existence for over 50 years. Three of her special friends would travel to Las Vegas yearly to meet her sister and husband who lived there, and they delightfully became known as the “Four Queens.” She loved maintaining a beautiful home and enjoyed shopping with friends to find the perfect “pretties,” as her mother used to call them.

In Kay’s later years, she loved to tell everyone she met about her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Besides her husband Michael, she was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sylvia Achladis (Gust); her sister, Maria Moures (Michael); a grandson, Jerry Savakis; brothers-in-law, Dr. Col. Peter J. Tsaknis and Nicholas J. Tsaknis; and a sister-in-law, Sylvia Salva.

Kay leaves her children, Cynthia (Alexander) Savakis, Nicholas M. Tsaknis and Kathleen (Bryan) Chaka; five grandchildren, Katherine (Michael) Bucek, Michael-Jerry (Sarah) Savakis, Dr. Michael (Julie) Chaka, Dr. Katie (Niko) Parks and Mark (Leah) Chaka; nine great-grandchildren, Paris, Marky, Vannie, Alice, Elias, Liam, Sevi, Vasi and Alexandra; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kay will be remembered as being a good and faithful friend and a joy to be around. She had an infectious laugh and a zest for living.

Family and friends will be received 10 to 10:50 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church, 4955 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, where a funeral service will be at 11 a.m., with Father Constantin Ursache as celebrant.

Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Warren.

The family requests that material contributions be made in memory of Kay to St. John the Forerunner Church, 4955 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, OH 44512.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary or share memories with Kay’s family.

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