Vasiliki Tsatsakis

Vasiliki (Vicki) Tsatsakis, nee Papadakis, has fallen asleep in the Lord on July 7, 2025.

Cherished wife of Louis Tsatsakis, beloved mother of Kalliroe (Steve) Petrides and Guss (Sheila) Tsatsakis. Loving Yiayia to Ana and Iliana (Lia) Petrides. Proud sister to Nick Papadakis, Helen Karras, Gus Pappas, Peter Papadakis. Preceded in death by sister, Maria Rounis and brother, Jim Papadakis. Fond sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and neighbor to many. Friend to all. May her memory be eternal.

Born in the village of Nestani, Greece on September 3,1941, Vasiliki (Vicki) immigrated to the United States in 1958 with her sister Helen. She worked hard and became a licensed cosmetologist. Everyone admired her talent and creativity. Traveling back to Greece, she met Louis Tsatsakis. They were married in 1972, and a year later, they celebrated the arrival of their first daughter. Two years later another celebration, their son. Vicki was a loving mom and wife. She gave her kids all the opportunities she didn’t have. Signing them up for soccer and dance, driving them to swimming lessons, and taking them to Greek School. Her family was her most important prize. She loved her family fiercely. She loved her village. She was curious, creative, and clever.

Vasiliki would keep her secrets and surprise us in the little moments. It was her way of showing up in the world. Always hospitable, offering a guest a cup of mountain tea. A pot was always sitting on the stove. Always clever, her twinkling eyes smiled at you as she asked you what the latest news was. Always curious about learning new recipes and ways other people used the same ingredients she bought for her family, she invented new recipes to share with others. Always growing and learning in life, she continued to explore by taking adventures, talking to people on the street, and observing life around her.

We learned through the years, her catchphrase, “The best”. If something is good, it is not just good, it is “The Best” Be it food, a drink, a person…”The Best”. In her last good days she danced, she sang, she ate, she drank, she laughed, she took in life in every way she could. She said, “There is never enough ζωή,” and “A long life is still a short life.”

And so, we leave you with this: don’t be afraid to wander, meet someone new, share a recipe, surprise someone you love, tell a good story, or savor a cup of tea. Because a life lived in this manner will always be a good life…“The Best”.

Thank you, Vasso.

Ζωή σε μας.

Visitation, Friday, July 11, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral service 11:00 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 2701 N Sheffield Ave. Chicago, IL. 60614. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements by NICHOLAS M. PISHOS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD., (Hellenic Funeral Service), Info:847-833-9522

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vicki, please visit our floral store.

In lieu of flowers, we also strongly encourage donations to St. George Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre.