Patricia Kariotis Tranto 1926-2026

Patricia “Pat,” a strong and extremely hardworking, faithful woman of her Greek Orthodox Christianity, was born May 26, 1926, in Vandergrift, Pa., to Haralambos and Katina Mavrogiannis Kariotis, Greek immigrants from Cesme, Turkey, who fled in 1919 during the Turkish pogrom to escape religious persecution.

Patricia, who excelled at academics, graduated at the top of her high school class in 1944, receiving a full scholarship to study chemistry at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University). However, her parents wanted her to stay close to home, so she was hired by US Steel Vandergrift Works, where, in two years, she became the assistant to the chief metallurgist, despite having no formal college credits. She was a whiz at math and chemistry.

On Nov. 17, 1946, Patricia married John Tranto (Triantafilldes), a hardworking, handsome young immigrant from Florina (Macedonia), Greece, and moved to Sharon, Pa., where they co-owned the Texas Lunch Restaurant and, later, the Silver Grille and Lawrence Cafe in Warren. Her children used to joke, “Our mom went from being assistant chief metallurgist at US Steel to the head cashier at the Texas Lunch!”

In 1952, they moved to the south side of Youngstown on Canfield Road across from Idora Park. Pat and John were married for 64 years at the time of his passing in 2011.

Patricia had impeccable style for fashion and home decor and her cooking skills were

unparalleled, combining the recipes brought by her mother from Asia Minor. No one left her home hungry, and she passed on her legacy of her classic Greek cuisine to her children and grandchildren. A tribute “Yiayia” cookbook was published by her granddaughter, Maria, to keep those ancient recipes within our family.

After raising her children, Patricia, at 42, enrolled in cosmetology school and graduated at the top of her class, excelling on the Ohio State Boards of Cosmetology both in theory and practice.

Patricia opened her own beauty salon, “Park Coiffures,” maintaining the salon from 1963 to 1995. In 1964, Patricia was asked to become the hair stylist for Miss Universe, Corinna Tsopei from Athens, Greece, who was appearing at the Idora Park Ballroom for the AHEPA District Convention — a truly memorable moment for the Greek community and our family.

Patricia was a 73-year member of St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman, a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Senior Citizens Club. Her joy was baking Greek twist cookies (koulourakia) for the church and participating in the Greek food festival. Her famous Greek stuffing (yemisi) will live on in our family.

In 2023, Patricia received the Metropolis St Photios Award from her church for her lifetime of service — an award she cherished.

As our matriarch, Mom, Yiayia, Thea and Nona, she will be deeply missed by her daughter and devoted caregiver, Maria Tranto Prassinos of Boardman; son, Nicholas (Pearl) Tranto of Weirton, W.Va.; grandchildren, Dr. Maria N. Tranto of Weirton, W.Va., Patti (Michael) Kolias of Maryland and BJ (Kellie) Prassinos of Florida; and four great-grandchildren, Peri (Periclea) and Nektarios “Niko” Dimitriou, Maria and Freddy (Foti) Kolias,and Christian Prassinos. In addition, her special goddaughters are Katina Solakakis Sass and Andrea Pozzuto. Her numerous nieces and nephews adored and respected her for her kindness throughout the years. They all loved “Aunt Pat” and visited her in droves during her final days.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 2011; twin infant daughters, Maria and Catherine; sisters, Stella Leftheris and Angeline Solakakis; and brother, Anthony Kariotis, and their spouses.

All the Kariotis siblings had a very special love for each other growing up in the harsh years of the Great Depression. Their Orthodox faith and proud Greek heritage were in abundance throughout their lives together.

Special thanks to Dr. Joseph Zeno and staff, who gave great care to Mom for many years, and to her granddaughter, Dr. Maria N. Tranto, who lovingly cared for her Yiayia in her last days while in hospice. Also, grateful thanks to Dr. Robert Perrott and the Mercy Health Hospice nurses Tonya and Trish. Also, a very special tribute to the Rev. Fr. Constantin Ursache, who looked after Mom for all her spiritual needs with frequent visits to her home.

Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to time of service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman with the Rev. Constantin Ursache.

Interment by the family will be at Oakwood Cemetery, in the family section, in Sharon, Pa.

May Mom’s Memory Always Be Eternal.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. John the Forerunner GOC, 4955 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, OH 44512.

Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle all of the arrangements for the family.

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