Katherine Rigas Pallas, 98, passed away at home in Naples Florida on August 29, 2026, with her son at her side. She was born in Wellsville, New York on March 18, 1928, the oldest daughter of James John and Helen (Brazas) Rigas. She was the last surviving Rigas child.
Katherine grew up in Wellsville, New York and treasured her childhood there. She loved her parents dearly. She attended Greek School in Wellsville with her siblings and the other Greek children from the community. She cherished her Greek heritage and spoke Greek to her mother and father until the day they died. She graduated from Wellsville High School as valedictorian and attended Alfred University, later graduating from the University of Buffalo with a teaching degree.
On August 26, 1951, Katherine married her love William C. Pallas in Wellsville, New York. They were inseparable throughout their long lives.
They settled in Chattanooga Tennessee where Bill and partners founded one of the first hospitals nationwide dedicated to women’s health. It was appropriately named The Women’s Hospital.
Their son, Christopher was born in 1956 in Chattanooga in what was a miracle birth. Katherine’s love made it possible. More on this later as it bears testimony to what Katherine Rigas Pallas was really about.
While living in Chattanooga Katherine was highly supportive of Bill in his many endeavors. She was an excellent and versatile cook always striving for the best in recipes and preparation. Anyone who was fortunate to dine there would eagerly attest to that. She also was an eater, loving anything from French onion soup to pork chops to a burger as big as your head. She was also known on occasion (every day) to enjoy the company of a wonderful piece of black licorice as well as peanut butter and Yarlsberg cheese. Cappuccino at 4 was standard and wonderful. Her love of good bread was legendary.
And let’s talk about fashion. Only if you have several weeks. We all held our collective breaths to see what was next. Always colorful, bright and cheerful to match her lovely heart. Always with awesome jewelry to match and killer heels. Thank you, Buffie and Marissa.
Also in Chattanooga Katherine was a Sunday school teacher in the Greek Orthodox Church while also singing in the church choir. She was president of the Women’s Medical Auxiliary in Chattanooga. She had so many interests and did them all so well. She loved to grow roses, Tropicana being her favorite. Nights were punctuated by her playing piano, sewing and attentiveness to her family. As a young child, she avidly read to Chris. One most unforgettable memory to Chris and Bill centered on this. Long summer vacations which found them on the road driving across the country on a very young interstate system (imagine exits with nothing on them… no McDonald’s, no travel centers, nothing but a sign pointing to the next town) As Bill drove, she would read aloud from a stack of books which always included Charles Dickens and Treasure Island, A Tale of Two Cities being her favorite. In latter years she thoroughly enjoyed daily morning swims and wildly cheering the Buffalo Bills.
Katherine and Bill retired to Sanibel Island Florida and then moved to Naples Florida to be closer to her brother, Gus. Katherine and Bill spent their latter years together settling into the Naples community.
In Naples she was recognized for her involvement in local philanthropy and community leadership.
She served as the President of the William C. Pallas MD Foundation: this Naples-based private family foundation provides grants to local community charities.
Katherine was also an active member of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church of Naples. She and Bill were instrumental in the creation and establishment of the present church. Her faith was strong. She would say the best part of each day was saying evening prayers with her son, Chris. He would agree as that was the best part of his day as well.
She was an active supporter of the Naples Botanical Garden and served as a Gold Member of the Sustaining Leadership Council of the same.
But who was Katherine Pallas? Really that is what needs to be said.
She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, and friend whose love and kindness touched the lives of so many. Katherine was a devoted wife who deeply loved her husband and cherished the life they built together. She was a loving mother who found her greatest joy in spending time cooking for and spending time with her son. Her extended family meant everything to her, and the memories they all shared together will forever be cherished. She had a special gift caring for others. Whether it was through kind words, a helping hand, or simply being there when someone needed her. Katherine gave so much of herself to others and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Her life was defined by unconditional love. A deep love; a heartfelt soulful love. A gracious, kind and selfless love. Friends and family knew it well but knowing no bounds it poured freely to all.
Casual acquaintances felt it and gravitated to her. No one knew her selfless love better than her husband, Bill and son, Chris. After years of home and then travel, Bill became ill and who cared for him night and day? Katherine. Providing all his needs tirelessly and with a smile and heart full of hope and comfort; all that while managing to overnight homemade banana bread and chili to Chris every week for greater than 20 years.
Her love was boundless, tireless, enthusiastic and came from deep in her heart. Never a complaint. Never. Always with a smile on her face and hope and love in her heart.
The best illustration is the birth of Chris, her only child. You see in this her true character. After 5 miscarriages she was pregnant with Chris. Her body could not hold a baby until term. Early on pregnant with Chris, Bill, her husband as well as a well known OBGYN, told her it would be impossible to continue with Chris as she was close to spontaneously aborting and would do so even by standing. Katherine said “say that part again about standing. “He did so. Her reply: “then I won’t stand”. “And she did not. Not for 5 months. She ate in bed; she did not sit up. She did not get up to go to the bathroom. She did not sit in a chair or even take a brief walk. She stayed in bed flat on her back. And she never complained. Period. Never. And it worked. Chris was born, still premature but alive. Her love, her courage, her bravery but most of all her heart full of faith and hope and love had conquered the impossible. Love had breached the abyss. God had seen her heart. He smiled upon her. He spoke. Creation obeyed. And in her later years with illness and chronic pain it was the same. She smiled, she never complained, ever. She was more worried about her son and caregivers than about herself. And that was her light. It was never about her. Never. It was always about others. She radiated selflessness and love. Everyone felt it and were pulled towards her. People would ask her how do you make it to 98? Her answer was moderation or that she did not know. But we know. It was her love. And that love in her heart, and soul left no room for anger, resentment, grudges, or gossip. No matter how egregiously wronged she never harbored dark thoughts. Never. That was her gift. She was blessed by love and grace. And given to her freely she passed it on freely. She was the brightest light in a sometimes-dark world. Her love and light are now carried into eternity and back to their Creator where I’m sure she now intercedes for others. But they also live on here, in every person she touched. In every single one. And we are all better people for having had her in our lives. Her impact is undeniable. It is lasting. It is eternal. It is seIfless and unconditional love. I know. I am her son.
And this is written by a grandniece and is beautiful and reflects what others saw:
Katherine was a true legend, such a beautiful piece of our Greek heritage and someone who was endlessly lovable, positive and resilient. To hear her stories, listen to her speak Greek, learn about and experience our heritage through her, watch her cook and enjoy her delicious food, and hear her tell stories about her life, her travels and all the people she loved. She had the most thoughtful, enormous heart. She listened so genuinely to others and truly cared about people. Her brother, Gus always called her “tough,” and she absolutely was, but in all the most genuine, strong, and positive ways.
What a life she lived, and what a gift she was to her son, Chris, and the Rigas family she left behind.
Katherine is pre-deceased by her parents, husband, Bill Also her sister and husband Mary (James Hastas) and her brothers and their wives John J Rigas (Doris N) and Constantine J Rigas (Rheba V).
Katherine is survived by her son, Christopher Pallas, many nieces, nephews, and their families. She also leaves countless friends, notably Buffy and Emily.
A very special thank you to her caregivers over the past few years: Jeanette, Ana, Jennifer, Denice , Silda and Roxanna for their caring love and support as well to Bonnie Gruner. Special thank you to Dr Paul Zuercher and his office as well. A very special thank you to Michelle at the Brighton.
Calling hours will be held at the Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples from 5 -7 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday (September 4, 2026) at the St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church of Naples, 7100 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples.
Memorials can be made to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church of Naples, 7100 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples, FL 34109 or Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112.
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