Demetra J. “Dee” Pappas

Dee Pappas, age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, February 13th. Preceded in death by her husband, Chris; son, George and siblings, Nick, Tom and Stella. Survived by her son, John; nieces, Cathy and Pam (Nick) and their families. Dee was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1920 and her family moved to Detroit, Michigan when she was a child. Dee, her mother, sister and brother were visiting relatives in Greece in 1939 when WWII broke out. With no way of getting home, they were interned by the Germans after the United States entered the War, and sent to Eastern Germany. They were exchanged for German prisoners of War in Zurich, Switzerland in January 1945. She came home to Detroit and worked in a bookstore in the Greek Town area. She met her husband, Chris there and they married in 1947. Dee loved her dogs and playing the piano. She worked until she was 84.

Special thanks to Martin Luther Care Center and its wonderful staff where Dee spent the last 8 years of her life - painless, trauma-free and active in all activities.