Katie was born Katherine Critzos on January 20, 1923 in New York City. In 1932, her family moved to Williamsburg, VA where her father was the owner of the Norfolk Café on Duke of Gloucester Street. Later, the family returned to New York where Katie worked as a service manager at the famed Gimbel's Department Store and then as a receptionist and cargo dispatcher for T.J. Stevenson Brokerage Company on Wall Street.

During World War II, she was honored by then-Greek Orthodox Archbishop Athenagoras for collecting the most donations for the Greek war relief for her church, St. Spyridon, and was awarded a Greek flag pin, which she treasured always.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Apollon (Paul) Orphanidys, her parents, John and Titina Critzos, her step-father, Anthony Bills, her brothers, George Critzos and William Bills and her son, John Orphanidys.

Katie loved to travel in the United States and abroad. She visited family and friends in various countries throughout Europe. In 1963, she went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was re-baptized in the River Jordan. She felt blessed to travel to her family's homeland, Greece, with her children and grand-children. She also toured China, Japan, Guatemala and several other countries. In 2004, she and her husband, Paul, traveled to Bermuda to celebrate his 90th birthday and revisit the St. George Hotel, where they had stayed on their honeymoon in 1947.

Katie was a proud and active member of her church, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, where she served multiple times on the Parish Council, past president of the Hellenic Woman's Penelope Society, member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, Daughters of Penelope and Golden Hearts, and Sunday school teacher. Until recently, she proudly volunteered in the church office. In 2007, she was awarded the great honor of being selected by her church as "Steward of the Year."

Throughout her life, she was also active in several other organizations including the Woman's Dental Society of Newport News, founder and charter member of the Brandon Garden Club, Christian Woman's Club, Capitol Hill Club of Bon Secours and the Red Hat Society. As active as she was, she made time to volunteer at the Riverside Post-Surgery Recovery Unit for many years as well as the Peninsula Crisis Counseling Center. She also managed a highly successful weight loss business.

Katie was a devoted wife, mother and yiayia (grandmother). She enjoyed baking and cooking and was excellent at both. She was a warm and loving soul whose zest for life was intoxicating. She truly loved to be around people, especially children, and they all loved to be around her. She was generous with her time and enjoyed helping others through her volunteer work. She was glamourous, stylish, curious, adventurous, full of life and a real trend-setter. The brilliance of her smile was matched only by the beauty of her spirit.

She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched, but she will forever be celebrated. The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Katie's devoted and compassionate caregivers: Alicia Orfano, Sheila Mayes, Karen Curtis and Mary Cole, and to Dr. James Spiller and his wife, Dr. Lisa Spiller, for their continued love and friendship.

A Trisagion service will be held on Thursday, May 26th at 7 pm at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News. The family will receive guests beginning at 6 pm prior to the Trisagion service, and also during the reception following the Trisagion service in the church social hall (Hellenic Community Center.)

The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 27th, at 1pm, also at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, with the Reverend George Chioros officiating. Following interment at Peninsula Memorial Park, guests are invited to return to the Hellenic Community Center for the traditional Makaria memorial luncheon. Arrangements are being made by Riverside Altmeyer Funeral Home in Newport News.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church or the Hellenic Woman's Penelope Society (HWPS) at 60 Traverse Road, Newport News, VA 23606, both of which were very dear to her heart. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.