Katherine "Renie" Pappas

Katherine “Renie” Pappas, 87, of Missoula passed away on March 16, 2025 due to complications of pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Missoula, on February 27, 1938 weighing a whopping 4 pounds 6 ounces to Greek immigrant parents Athena and Peter Pappas. Renie talked often of the many opportunities her parents provided her during childhood, made possible by their long journey to America. Her father worked for the railroad and she lived in their downtown home from her birth until her seventies. She enjoyed a childhood of piano lessons, art, stories of Greece, and many activities with a close-knit community. Renie graduated from Missoula County High School in 1956. She graduated from the University of Montana in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

Renie was a proud Greek American and strong in her Greek Orthodox Faith. She was part of the “Greek Youth”, a group of children of Greek immigrants who through their hard work were able to purchase a building that became the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on 6th street in 1955.

Volunteer work and helping those in need was near to Renie’s heart. She was a member of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Daughters of Penelope, Boy Scouts Den Mother, Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, and long-time volunteer for the American Cancer Society as well as the American Heart Association. Renie was the dedicated “caller” for all Church functions and fundraisers and kept a phone list about 10 inches thick. Social media and the technology of today can’t compare to Renie’s outreach. She loved spending hours making personal calls to Church members as well as those in the broader community and always ended her calls with, “I love you call me if you wish”.

One of the greatest highlights of Renies life was her trip to her parents birthplace, the beautiful small mountain village of Pangrati Greece, in 1970. She enjoyed every minute of it and loved meeting her many relatives as well as her maternal grandmother. She held these memories close to her heart for the remainder of her life and a poem she wrote about her time there will be published in her service folder.

After graduating from the University of Montana, Renie took a job teaching in Pasco Washington. She returned to Missoula a few years later to help take care of her ailing father. Renie was a devoted daughter and chose to remain in Missoula. She continued her career in Missoula teaching at various pre-schools. Renie never married or had children of her own, however, she found great joy in watching the children she worked with grow and kept in touch with many of them over the years.

Renie is preceded in death by her parents Peter and Athena. She is survived by a countless number of friends whom Renie considered her family. Renie’s kind heart and the number of people who loved her are immeasurable. Pallbearers will be Diamantis Datsopoulos, Achilles Datsopoulos, John Petrou, Steve Tsakarestos, Chris Poloynis and Dan Fusco. The following services will be held at the Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church located at 301 S. 6th St W in Missoula: Trisagion Service March 23, 2025, at 6 pm and Funeral Service on March 24, 2025 at 10:30 am. Burial will be at the Missoula Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Ambrosia Greek Food 2230 N. Reserve St. Memorial in Renie’s honor may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Benevolent Fund.