Obituary

Joanna (Antonopoulos) Nakos died peacefully Saturday, January 18, 2025. Joanna was born on September 23, 1937 to Nikos and Helen Antonopoulos in Myceane, Greece. Her Grandfather, Dimitri Dassis, accompanied the German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann when he discovered the ancient City of Myceane and the Tomb of King Agamemnon. When the gold cup of Agamemnon was unearthed, Schliemann wanted to drink wine out of the gold cup. Dimitri instructed his daughter Helen (Joanna's mother) to wash the gold cup out and serve the finest wine in the house! Schliemann marveled at Helen's natural beauty. Schliemann believing many politicians and dignitaries would visit the ancient ruins of Myceane, suggested Dimitri change the name of his hotel to La Belle Helene (the beautiful Helen) after Dimitri's daughter.

Schliemann was correct, the Registry at La Belle Helene looked as if it should be from the Waldorf Astoria as many politicians, Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth, King Wilhelm and Czar Nicholas II were just a few who stayed at La Belle Helene. Other individuals who scrawled their autographs on the guest list were Jean Paul Sarte, Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, William Faulkner, Henry Miller, J.K. Rowling and many others.

Joanna and her family arrived in Fort Wayne in 1951, shortly after the end of the Greek civil war. She attended Northside High School. Joanna then married Christos Nakos and was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker for her family. She loved to cook for her family and friends. Her Pastichio and roasted lamb were cooked perfectly and were delicious! Joanna's Galatobutiko was second to none and noone has ever been able to duplicate her recipe. Each week Joanna made seven loafs of bread. She toasted half the loaf in the morning for breakfast and served it with feta cheese and the other half was eaten with dinner. Joanna also excelled in interior design and making floral arrangements. Adorning the lobby of O'Connor & Nakos with her talents.

Joanna was a steward of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and an active member of the Ladies of Philoptochos. She also was the first receptionist at the Nakos Law Office where she always expressed her concern and love for all of the young criminal defendants. The young clients loved Joanna in return as she genuinely cared about their lives.

Joanna had four sons, Nikos, Telly (Tamara), Christos Jr. (predeceased 1961) Robert III (Tamara); Six grandchildren, Christos III, Athena (Jordan), Aristotle, Sophia, Robert IV (Emily) and Katie; two great grandsons, River and Quinn and 17 Godchildren.

Viewing at Fair Haven Funeral Home 6557 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN on Thursday January 23, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Trisaigon service at 7:00 pm, Funeral Friday January 24, 2025, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 110 West Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, IN viewing at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am. Entombment will follow the service at Lindenwood Cemetery. Any donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

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