Obituary of Bess Katsaros

Bess Katsaros, ne Veremis, passed away on October 29, 2022 at the age of 97.  She was born on November 16, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, Dean, daughter Constance (Michael), son James (Nikki), sister Nora Retsinas, grandchildren Dean and Eva, and a large extended family.  She was raised by Greek immigrant parents in a close-knit family with three younger siblings, fostering a strong Community connection with their family grocery business and Greek American network.  A devoted caregiver to all with her generous spirit, Bess reached out to family members offering unlimited support.  She was noted for her strong, take-charge personality, working hard to earn the title of Thea (Aunt) Boss and the “Camp Director” from her many nieces and nephews.  Along with expressing love for her extended family, she never hesitated to convey her great pride for her Greek American heritage and beloved city of Chicago.  She had a great appreciation for art and music and she loved to travel to historic sites in Europe and all over the US, enjoying a taste of the exotic desserts along the way.  After spending most their life in the Chicago area, Bess and Dean moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2015 to live with her sister and brother-in-law James and Nora Retsinas, where she lived out the rest of her life.  The family wishes to express gratitude to the wonderful care provided to her in her final years by caregivers Jlynne, Raquel, and Vanessa.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her memory be directed to the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois, where Bess served as President of the Crystal Lake Chapter and had long-term involvement. https://www.childrenshomeandaid.org/donations/ or call direct at 312-424-6875.