Frances Kariotakis' Obituary
Frances Lavdas Kariotakis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and artist, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Born on February 1, 1938, to the late Anthony and Katina Lavdas, Fran brought light and creativity into the world from the very beginning. She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Alex Kariotakis, with whom she shared a beautiful life built on love, partnership, and unwavering dedication to family.
Fran was a cherished sister to Pete Lavdas (Sandy), and a loving mother to her two daughters, Elena (Don) and Tina (Matt). Her legacy lives on through her treasured granddaughters, Alexis (Tyler) and Melina (Ryan), and her adored great-granddaughters, Zoe, Emily, and Riley.
A true artist at heart, Fran spent her career bringing joy to millions of homes around the world through her remarkable work with American Greetings. Her creations—especially those of Strawberry Shortcake—became beloved icons, touching the hearts of generations of children and families alike.
Her artist’s eye was unmistakable, not only in her illustrations, but in every aspect of her life—from her timeless sense of fashion to the elegant way her home was designed and decorated. Her artistic talent extended to her community as well, where she played an integral role in the design and decoration of the dome and altars at St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church.
But beyond her creative accomplishments, Fran will be remembered most for the love she so freely gave. She was a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a woman who always put her family first. Her warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit will forever be felt by all who were lucky enough to know her. What some may not have realized was just how funny Fran was—both intentionally and unintentionally. Her sense of humor was quick, sharp, and often surprising.
As children, we remember secret shopping trips conveniently planned after dentist or doctor appointments, and her tireless chauffeuring to and from every activity, outing, or unscheduled retrieval from school. No matter how many deadlines she was juggling at American Greetings, there was always a homemade meal on the table—breakfast, lunch, and dinner, without fail.
We will miss her deeply but take comfort in knowing that her legacy of love, creativity, humor, and fierce devotion to family will live on in those she leaves behind.
A service will be held to honor her memory on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 at St Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 4548 Wallings Rd. North Royalton, OH 44133. Visitation from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. Funeral Service to follow at 12 Noon. Following the service Fran will be buried at Lakewood Park Cemetery. Donations can be made to the AHEPA 480 Scholarship Fund or St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church. The family asks that you take a moment to create something beautiful, spend time with your loved ones, or simply smile—just as Fran would have wanted.
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