Constance V. Pappas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Constance V. Pappas, nee Nickles, passed away on March 24, 2017 at the age of 83. Constance went by several names over her lifetime but was most fondly known as "Yia Yia" to her large and devoted family and many friends. Constance was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 29, 1933. The only daughter of her Greek immigrant parents she took on an early mantle of responsibility after the passing of her mother when Constance was only 11. After graduating from Amundsen High School in 1950, Constance took a job at Harris Bank in Chicago, IL. She loved this job and may never have left if not for her romance with Thomas Pappas. Constance and Thomas grew up together and attended Greek School at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, IL. Constance had deep respect and affection for Thomas, but most importantly she said they always had fun together. Constance and Thomas were married on July 6, 1958 at St. Andrews. They went on to have five children together, John, Venetia, Antigone, Louis, and Thomas. The family moved to a picturesque farm in Woodstock, IL in 1976, and Constance never looked back. After the untimely passing of her husband in 1981, Constance returned to work, this time for the State of Illinois. She retired in 1992, but never slowed down. Constance was a boundless source of energy, a generous spirit, a fierce advocate for her loved ones, and a true Matriarch. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Constance was thrilled to celebrate her first World Series victory. She enjoyed attending fitness classes into her 80's, playing cards with her friends, arguing about sports and politics, cooking, and most of all her family. Her legacy lives on in: her children, John (Teresa) Pappas, Venetia (Jimmy) Roumbos, Antigone (Brian) Wojtas, Louis (Margot) Pappas, and Thomas Pappas; her grandchildren, Thomas Pappas, Dina LaMarche, Johno Pappas, Anna Rachford, Jaqueline Pappas, Angeline Pappas, Louis Pappas, Gina Taglianetti, T.J. Pappas, Pauline Pappas, Michael Pappas, Jack Schultz, Christina Schultz, Nick Wojtas, and Andrew Wojtas; her growing number of great-grandchildren, Ava Pappas, Sontino Damiano, Giovanni Damiano, Eleanor Constance LaMarche, John LaMarche, and Machiavelli Taglianetti; and many much beloved nieces and nephews of the Ventouras, Nickles, and Papaioannou families. Constance is predeceased by and now joins: her husband, Thomas Pappas; her parents, Louis and Venetia Virginia Nickles, and her brothers, Peter L. Nickles and Nick L. Nickles. Her legacy of selflessness, loyalty, and unconditional love laid the blueprint that her family will try to emulate for generations to come. She passed as she lived, surrounded by family and the center of their world. She will be missed but never forgotten. The Funeral Service is at 10:30 am Friday, March 31 at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago with Burial in Elmwood Park Cemetery and Mausoleum. Visitation will be Thurs. March 30 from 4-8pm at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin, Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave. (N Rt. 47) in Woodstock, IL. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate) or the Huntington's Disease Foundation (www.huntingtonsdiseasefoundation.org ).

Constance V. Pappas

March 29, 1933 - March 24, 2017