Joanne Glaros Petsakos

Joanne Glaros Petsakos

Beautiful Bird In Flight

Island Girl by Birthright, Universal Angel by Experience! 

Sept 8, 1925 – March 28, 2026 

Our incredible mother, Ioanna began her earthly song on September 8, 1925 in the antiquated village of Glaredo in Ikaria, Greece. In the following years, Ioanna’s youth was marked by the deprivations & tragedies of World War II. Mom’s dreams for a better life defined her personality. Mom learned to feel the special light of fiery ambition within and became stronger as life became darker. Ioanna matured quickly. Every day and in all weather conditions, Mom would hike to the rugged mountainside to gather brushes for the goats. She would collect water in traditional clay jugs (στάμνα) at the community well.

In times of solitude, she would daydream of miracles involving divine flight. . . so birds became a lyrical metaphor for her flight to freedom to America. As a war bride, a whirlwind courtship ensued with Stellios Petsakos. Dad served at Normandy on D-Day with American forces; in time, his ardor for Mom unfolded into an incredible love story. An amazing 64 year marriage to her wonderful husband, Stellios George Petsakos produced five adored daughters and son-in laws, Despina & George Mougianis, Argyro & Spiridon Vlachos, Georgia & Zacharias Leventis, Maria & Apostolis Katinos, and Stella & Haralampos Bratsis. 

Eventually, Dad and Mom learned to become the best of building buddies - so potable water became a welcome luxury to their three bedroom home. Her carpentry experiences included nailing roof shingles, cement work, excavating for a wine storage basement. In addition, a bathroom for one male and six females became the setting for much frivolity during our childhood. Through the timeless cycle of seasons, years of labor produced a very Ikarian vineyard replicating the fabled wines of our island. The small αμπέλι (vineyard) in rural Ukiah was the rustic setting for bonding in nature’s delights. Mom was always the fastest worker, encouraging us to match her pace time and time again! As fall approached, so did harvest time, family & friends enjoying the fruits of her labors. 

Mom was such an amazing farmer and gardener – Luther Burbank would have admired Mom’s passion for gardening. She cultivated a myriad of vegetables that her garden resembled a farmers’ market – a cornucopia of colors, aromas, and textures. Her beautiful flower garden was her pride and joy - after the family, of course! In addition, she canned pears, dried figs, roasted walnuts. Mom’s cherry, peach, and apple pies (picked directly from her fruit trees) were mouth-watering treats. Sunday family dinners demanded a command performance from all family members – holiday meals were especially fun; because, we all clamored to lick the last tasty morsels from each mixing bowl. 

The traditional fig, olive, walnut trees soon included apple, cherry, peach, and persimmon trees embroidering the tiny parcel of land behind the blue and white home – which clearly paid homage to our parents’ beautiful Mediterranean homeland. Our mighty Ikarian heritage was certainly well represented in Ukiah. Our father clearly won the lottery many times with his wife in sharing their lives together. As many women of her generation she exemplified outstanding hallmark characteristics of a loving wife. Every day at 4:00 p.m. she would freshen up with a new dress and a quick swipe of lipstick to greet our father coming home from work at the Masonite Factory. Dinner was always ready and the table set with homemade dishes expertly prepared. 

For years, she gathered trunk loads of wild χόρτα to cook trays upon trays of tantalizing golden, buttery crusts of delicious spanakopita for the Chapter Lychnos meetings. Sunny spring weekends through the abundant offerings of fall would find Mom and Dad hosting endless card games served with homemade wine galore under the grape arbor. Party central almost every weekend emphasized the importance of hospitality and φιλοξενία. Mom was so graceful whenever she danced the Ikariotiko at our Chapter Lychnos weekend parties; she felt free as a bird fluttering as she stepped lively and gracefully to the syncopated rhythm. 

Truly Mom was a master manager of time and juggled responsibilities well. Mom and Dad were instrumental in preparing a strong family foundation for the coming of future Ikarian generations. The thrush bird is a ferocious protector of home. The bird’s solitary call can be heard through the worst of gales as it faces the fury. Our mother’s love was as strong and steadfast as the thrush – unyielding and forever loyal to her family. Truly she exemplifies the epitome of love and family solidarity. Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother is an extraordinary example of sacrifice, unending lessons of joy and love. We honor her with a continuing legacy of kindness. 

She continues her gifts. Mom loved songbirds. She believed birds serenade us with songs of beauty and love. Just as birds greet us with beautiful melodies; know that somewhere out there she is greeting us with songs of beauty and love, as well. 

Your wings were ready, our hearts were not.

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure."

Funeral & Internment

Wednesday, April 15th at 11:00 a.m.

at Russian River Cemetery Chapel 

940 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482

Makaria

immediately following Interment

at Barra of Mendocino Winery

705 North State Street, Redwood Valley, CA 95470

In lieu of flowers,

please consider donating to the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Scholarship fund in either

Steve and Maria Facaros Scholarship Fund

or

Nick and Alexandra Koklanaris Scholarship Fund

in the comment box please write

In Memory of Joanne Petsakos use the link below.

https://pan-icarian.com/foundation/

If you chose to send flowers to

Eversole Mortuary (141 Low Gap Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482)

to be displayed at the funeral, please have delivery no later than April 14th.

Thank you!

May Her Memory Be Eternal! Αιωνία η μνήμη