BALOURIS

KATHERINE "KAY" MOURTAKOS

Age 90, of Wexford, PA (formerly of Bellevue, PA), passed peacefully at home on July 31, 2026. She was born in the mountain village of Panitsa near Gythion, in Laconia, Greece, on November 3, 1935, to Demetrios and Maria Mourtakos.

Kay immigrated to the United States in 1946 with her mother and her sister, Alice. Her father and older brother, Elias, later joined them on the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA, where her younger brother, Tom, was born. Since 1947, Kay has been a dedicated member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. In 1961, she married Themistocles C. Balouris, with whom she raised four children and later was blessed with 12 grandchildren.

As a vital member of the Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos Omonia Society for over seventy years, she served as president and treasurer for multiple terms and was involved in the group's many charitable activities. For years, Kay organized to make and sell pastries and bread for the Philoptochos fundraisers, and she led the preparation of food items for the annual festival. Kay was the organizer of the "Wednesday Lunch" fundraiser at Holy Trinity's North Side location for over a decade and lovingly prepared food for visitors. On a weekly basis, Kay was a dedicated prosforo baker and Sunday School teacher, and she oversaw the coffee hour to help foster fellowship among Holy Trinity's parishioners and visitors.

Throughout her life, Kay led through her actions, rather than her words. Her unwavering faith, inspiring humility, and lifetime of dedication to others left a lasting impact on everyone she met. In 2016, she was honored with the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh St. Photios Award, which recognizes individuals whose service has significantly benefited the Metropolis' ministries, parishes, and community outreach.

Yiayia Kay, as she was affectionately known to many loved ones, put a smile on anyone's face who spent time with her. She loved the color purple, jewelry, all animals, but especially birds, a good cup of coffee, getting her nails done, sharing a funny comic strip from the newspaper, and cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events. Kay was a voracious reader, loved to watch soap operas and game shows, enjoyed crocheting blankets for every family member, and baked the most delicious tsoureki (Greek sweet bread), koulourakia, and finikia (Greek cookies).

Above all, Kay chose to practice kindness in her life. To honor her memory, the best we can do is to emulate this choice. So, when in doubt of what to say or do, choose to be kind and to love each other, and when in doubt of what to wear, choose some purple to remember her.

She is survived by her devoted children, Penny Balouris, Jim and Yvonne Balouris, Chris and Chrysoula Balouris, Maria and Pete Handrinos; grandchildren, Themistocles D., Petros, Katerina, Ekaterini, Aleksaundra, Luke, Alex, Themistocles C., Vasile, Katina, Evangelia, and Nikitas; sister, Alice Kapnisis; brother, Tom Mourtacos; sister-in-law, Marika Gilipathis; dedicated caretaker, Maria, who cared for Kay like family; and many loving nieces and nephews, both in the United States and Greece.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Themistocles C. Balouris; parents, Demetrios and Maria Mourtakos; brother, Elias Mourtakos and wife, Evangelia; sister-in-law, Linda Mourtacos; sister-in-law, Pipina Goulandris and husband, Nikolaos; sister-in-law, Evangelia Georgiou and husband, Nikolaos; brother-in-law, John Balouris and wife, Helen; brother-in-law, Anthony Balouris and wife, Helen; brother-in-law, Yiannis Gilipathis; and former son-in-law, Eric Tomalski.

Visiting hours will be Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (985 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237), with the Trisagion service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 10 a.m., with the funeral at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

In lieu of flowers, kindly direct your thoughtful consideration to the Holy Trinity Philoptochos (985 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237) in Kay's memory. Arrangements entrusted to the DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 806 Perry Hwy., Pittsburgh, PA 15229.