Katherine Elefterin

She was born September 13, 1925 in Massillon, Ohio to the late Nicholas and Mary (Alexiou) Liossis. She attended Massillon Washington High School, The College of Wooster and The Cleveland Institute of Art. She was married to Lt. Col. John Elefterin for 59 years.

Katharine and John met and were married in Massillon. John's military career took them to California, New York, Oregon and Washington DC, as well as, Germany, Greece and Panama. Katharine was an accomplished artist who painted for pleasure, did commissions and donated works to charity. Her paintings and collages grace homes, businesses and churches locally, and all over the world due to her travels. Many of her pieces were given as gifts to family, friends and acquaintances and all are greatly cherished.

Katharine gave art lessons and taught classes to adults and school children. She was a teacher at various schools in Massillon, including classes for developmentally disabled students. During her travels she was fortunate to teach at the British American International School. Prior to her retirement, she was Art Director of Television and Instructional Media at the University of Akron, where she participated in the production of “The Legacy of the American Revolution”, an award winning documentary which aired on PBS. She participated in many juried art shows and received numerous awards. Honors included having works hung in the National Gallery of Art and The Smithsonian, both in Washington, DC.

Katharine's father Nick Liossis was one of the founding members of St. George Greek Orthodox church in Massillon, where Katharine and her family attended services for many years. Her grandchildren were the greatest recipients of her artistic talent and gentle, loving nature. She happily painted, drew and read books with them. Many a holiday involved baking Greek desserts and bread together. In Katharine's sophomore yearbook she wrote a note to herself: “I had lots of fun! Especially in the art class! Miss Traphagen is a swell person! She thinks I'll be good someday. I hope I will!”