Katy (Balsami) Diakakis

Katy Diakakis, 88, of Canonsburg passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 9, 2022. Katy was born May 22,1934 on the island of Rhodes, Greece in the village of Ialyssos. She was the daughter of Christos and lakoumina Hatzivalsami. Katy, the youngest girl of seven children, apprenticed to become an expert seamstress. Since arranged marriages were customary at the time, and Anthony (Tony) Diakakis of Canonsburg, PA was smitten by a photo of Katy, a meeting was arranged in Rhodes, Greece. At the age of 24, Katy married Tony on April 18, 1958 in Athens, Greece. Katy and Tony were blessed with two daughters and five grandchildren during their 59 years of marriage. After boldly moving her life to America, despite a language barrier, Katy studied the English language and was granted her American citizenship. Eager to learn to speak more proficiently, Katy got a job as a seamstress at Miller‘s Fashions, where she was quickly promoted from seamstress to sales. She continued her passion for fashion at Cache in the Galleria, where she became Cache’s number one Sales Associate in the country.

Katy instilled the love of her Greek heritage in her family and friends, which was obvious by her and her husband’s yearly trips to her homeland and by her Greek culinary skills.
Her pastitsio, keftedes, spanakopita, tiropita, koulouria, kourapiedes, baklava and especially her lenten cookies were her some of her specialties. She also enjoyed walking, gardening, sewing, and knitting. Her knitted sweaters were so perfect one could wear them inside out! Through the years, she sewed beautiful outfits for her family from bathing suits to fur collared winter coats to jeans to sweaters to blankets—with the joke being that the only thing that she could not make were shoes. She also had a knack for details and was a great storyteller as anyone who recalls her stories of her childhood during WWII.

She is survived by Larry and Penelope (Penny) Casella of Mt. Lebanon, Jacqueline (Jackie) Alberty of Canonsburg, and was a devoted Yiayia to Anthony and Nina Casella and John, Anastasia, and Gabrielle Alberty. She is also survived by her brother Manio Hatzivalsami of Rhodes, several nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, and cousins.
Katy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tony, and her siblings Marietta, Anthi, Smaro, Michael, and Dimitri.

Friends will be received Wednesday, September 14, from 3-8pm with a Trisagion service at 7pm, at the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 601 W. McMurray Road, Canonsburg, PA, 15317. Additional visitation at the church will be held Thursday, September 15, from 10-11am. Funeral Services will be held at 11am, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Gardens in McMurray.
 

The family extends sincere appreciation and thanks to all the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers who helped maintain Katy's quality of life. We are grateful for the exceptional
care provided by Dr. Megan Mantica, Dr. David Clump, Dr. Anastasios Raptis, Dr. Nitin Kapoor, Dr. William Kottner, Dr. Hahn, Donna Scalercio RN, Holly Callithen RN, Theresa RN, Murph CNA, Rosie CNA, Rachel CNA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Shadyside Hospital, UPMC Family Hospice, and Presbyterian Senior Care Southmont of Washington. A special acknowledgement to all family and friends who offered their genuine love and support through the years. Katy was humbled by your kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to All Saint's Greek Orthodox Church in Katy's memory.

Arrangements entrusted to Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, 724-746-1000. Please visit www.sollon.com to leave online condolences. 

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