Elizabeth Maria (Bette) Antonakis

Elizabeth Maria (Bette) Antonakis, 93, was tapped on the shoulder by her Creator on April 21, 2017 and told to come on home-to which she replied, "Where ya been?! I expected you to be here two days ago, geez!" Those who knew 'Ms. Bette', as she was fondly called, would attest to the fact that she had no patience for dawdling. She was a woman of action who wasn't built for comfort, only speed. Legend has it that she once stayed up all night so she could rouse herself awake in the morning because she had places to go and people to meet. Bette never met a stranger and she could chew the fatwith the best of 'em. She had what the French refer to as a certain 'shen-nae see kwah' which loosely translated means: "Hey, my name is Bette. Let's laugh and talk awhile." Ms. Bette charmed everyone she came into contact with. Children loved her warm, grandmotherly nature even though she could probably hogtie a dozen of them with one hand while making them kool-aid with the other. Women admired her limitless talents. She was an accomplished seamstress (making many of the clothes she wore), her cooking was legendary with many Greek and Hungarian dishes in her repertoire (receiving a plate of her Christmas cookies was more delightful than visiting with Santa), she could sing, and dance (although in certain circles her burlesque routine was frowned upon), and she was quite the gardener - coaxing plants to proliferate just because she asked them to. Men were smitten with her collection of tools and they gave her a wide berth because she wasn't afraid to use them. Well into her 80's she and her 70 something friend repaired, stripped, and refinished her deck - which was about the size of Boston. She was a lover of animals doting on her backyard birds and spoiling her pets completely, after all they were her children. One little gal was so pampered, she began to look like a Macy's parade balloon freed of it's tether - or "tedder" as Ms.Bette would say. Bette loved life, loved to travel, and she was ALWAYS up for an adventure or party. She worked hard all of her life whether it was on their family's Wisconsin farm, taking care of her parents, or at GM/Delco in Kokomo, Indiana from where she retired after 35 years of service. Actually retirement wasn't in her venacular, she merely stopped working for a salary and increased her productivity. She and her husband Kenneth, who preceded her in death, relocated to Maryville in 1992 where they quickly fit in like a tree in the forest. Devout Catholics, they joined Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and when Ken became sick and died, Bette was enveloped by the entire church, making sure she continued to thrive despite the loss of her husband of 54 years. She was a member of: Council of Catholic Women, OLOF choir, the Eucharistic Ministry, and the Society Against Nit-Pickers. She volunteered for:Eucharistic Adoration, Comfort Food Ministry, Art & Environment, church garden work, and a good time whenever she could. Bette preached the Gospel continuously, using words only when necessary. She drove herself anywhere she needed to be right up until she was almost 90, despite receiving dialysis treatments for the last 10 years of her life. She eventually traded her car in for a walker complete with a bicycle bell so she could warn any slowpoke in front of her that she was "coming through!" Although, the bell really didn't have to be used because her raucous laugh would always announce her presence. Bette was bigger than her body and it was hard for her to leave us - one got the feeling that she wasn't quite finished yet. Quitting was never an option to her. She had the mind and heart of someone 50 years younger, but alas, her earthly vessel became weak despite her willing herself to go on. Two days before her death, Ms. Bette and a friend had a late/early celebration for their common birthday. Everyone should be able to leave this world in that fashion, having a joyful celebration with lots of love, laughter, and cake! Ms. Bette knew how to live...right to the very last minute. Thank you dear, sweet woman for enriching so many lives. That little light of yours really was a beacon for true Christianity. May our hearts shine as brightly. Elizabeth Maria Antonakis leaves behind her nephews Bill Antonakis, Martin Papp, Tony Papp, nieces Gladys Coe, Amy Mihalakis, Becky Mihalakis, Vicki Witt, dear friend Ron Williams, her beloved dog Penny, Sharon Brothers her constant companion, friend, and "daughter", as well as an entire community to mourn her departure. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church from 10:00 - 10:45 am on Thursday, April 27, 2017. The funeral mass is at 11:00 am with celebrants Fr. Joe Brando, and Fr. Bill McNeely followed by entombment at Sherwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum where she will join Ken in their final resting place. A celebration of life will be held at 1:15 pm in the Fatima Social Hall where all are invited to eat, reminisce, and laugh. Many thanks to the staff at Morningview Assisted Living for their loving care and to the many SMiles volunteers. In lieu of flowers, Ms. Bette requested that any donations be made to the Our Lady of Fatima Choir Fund.