Constance Carahalis

Constance Carahalis, age 92 years fell asleep after a short illness on December 8, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was born in Homestead, PA on April 11, 1930 to Asemina and Efstratios Keramedis. Growing up in McKeesport in her early adult years, she graduated from McKeesport High School in 1948 and soon began working at Gimbels Department Store in Downtown Pittsburgh in the shoe department.  It is there she met her future husband, Theodore Carahalis, who also worked at Gimbels in the TV Department. They began a romantic relationship that turned into a 52 year long marriage. They wed at the Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church in McKeesport on October 7, 1956.

After living in Baldwin Township, the two bought a house in Mount Lebanon in 1963 and remained there for the rest of their days. Connie and Ted were blessed with two beautiful children: John Carahalis, DMD, a dentist in Las Vegas, NV and Panorea Welding a BSN, RN who is a Regional Clinical Operations Manager for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Connie was not only their mom, but a secondary mother to many of the kids in the neighborhood. Tuesdays were known for spaghetti nights and the summer days were for root beer floats.

She loved to dance and have fun with her family throughout her adult life. From the Pittsburgh Opera to the lights of Las Vegas, Connie lived her life to the fullest. She loved the Greek Orthodox Church and was the past president of the ladies Philoptochos Society in Mt. Lebanon. During the church’s food fairs, Connie was a familiar face serving food to the patrons well into her late eighties. Connie loved and supported her kids through their hopes and dreams. She sacrificed and encouraged them in their endeavors often being their voice of reason. Though she was fair and tough, her word stood even until the end.

She is survived by her son John and his wife Jillian, daughter Panorea and her husband Alan, sister Malpa Fuller, nephew Demetrious Fuller, godchildren Maria Solomon, Christopher Passodelis and Christopher Russell. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her brother Stanley and her parents.

Family and friends are welcome Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 1-4 pm and 6 -8 pm, with a Trisaigon Service at 7 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546.  Additional viewing will be Monday, December 12, 2022 from 11 am until the time of service at 11:30 am at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Burial will follow Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Philoptochos Society at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.

Please view and sign the family’s online guestbook at pittsburghcremation.com.