Mrs. Marika Govatos (96) fell asleep in the Lord, peacefully at her home, on Monday, March 30, 2009.  Mrs. Govatos was born  in Metamorphosis, Sparta, Greece on June 17, 1912 to Panagos and Panayiota Manolakis.  She was educated in Greece and in 1938 she married John Govatos, owner of the Pier Café and co-owner of the Nixon Café.

After her husband passed away, Mrs. Govatos, at the age of 56, took control as owner of the Wilson Building Sandwich Shop  which her husband was part owner, and ran it for fifteen years.

Mrs. Govatos was an avid gardener and received many garden awards bestowed by the Corpus Christi Area Garden Council, including “Yard of the Year”.  In June, 2006, she received her last accolade, “Yard of the Month.” 

She was a world traveler and was very knowledgeable and interested in European and American 19th century antiques, clothes, Greek cooking, business and most importantly  her family and Church.

She and her husband, John, were among the founders of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Corpus Christi.  She was the senior member of both the Church and the Delphi Club.  She helped at the Greek Festival for many years, making pastries and in other capacities.

Mrs. Govatos was a devoted  mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She is survived by her daughter,  Pat (Tommy) Whitehurst, her son, Lee John Govatos, grandsons, Tom  (Elizabeth) Whitehurst, Jr. and Robert (Nora) Whitehurst, great granddaughters,  Marika and Olivia Whitehurst, her sister-in-law, Mrs Mike Manolakis, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Trisagion  Service was  held on April 2nd  at Maxwell P. Dunn Funeral Home and   funeral services  were  held on April 3rd at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church with Father Stelios Sitaras officiating. Contributions to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in memory to Marika Govatos are greatly appreciated.

A forty day Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2009, and the coffee hour will be hosted by the Delphi Club.  Mrs. Govatos will be greatly missed in our parish. 

May her memory be eternal!

Thalia Plomarity

Bulletin Editor