Deepest condolences to the Kanakis family, my Allister next door neighbors and friends. I can't begin to explain the depth of this loss. We've been cheated of the company on planet Earth of a beautiful, compassionate woman with a strength of inner spirit and an integrity and authenticity that is so rare to find. My childhood best friend spoke her mind throughout her life, worked unbelievably hard to achieve her dreams, was so incredibly down to Earth words can't describe... She also loved to have fun and in this we were a match. Favorite memories: listening to "Grease," singing and acting out the words, smoking fake cigarettes and trying to be as cool as Olivia Newton John in leather... playing dolls as young girls and one day deciding to chop off Barbie's head for kicks and rolling that Barbie head down the N.Y. basement stairs... Just chillin' after school and snacks watching countless episodes of Mash and Gilligan's Island... Running from George and Nick's snowballs (actually, they were more ice balls that really stung when they hit you in the face :)), going to Greek bazaars with Kathy and her Mom, slumber parties staying up all night and watching horror movies, and maybe favorite memory of all: Kathy's teen visit to my Florida home, where we snuck off to the woods to a big party, drank too much beer, had to pee so went behind some trees not realizing until the next day that we had chosen an area infested with fire ants; next day had big red, painful welts on our teenage butts. Mrs. Kanakis witnessed the after party damage and I don't think I've ever heard a woman laugh as hard as she did that moment! My guess is that Kathy would want us to remember these light-hearted, fun and happy moments. I know that she is with us still and that she will continue to look over us and guide us as well as laugh with us and cry with us throughout our lifetimes till we meet again. Love to all...
