Katherine “Kay” Panagos

Katherine (Kay) Panagos, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 1, 2025. She was born on December 12, 1934, in Ferndale, Michigan to Steve and Teresa Molinar, who had both emigrated to the United States from Northern Italy.

Kay was a devoted wife to Harry Panagos for 61 years, marrying in 1955. Together they built a loving home in Michigan and later in Mountainside, New Jersey, where they raised their three children: Susan (Manuel) Russon, Gregory Panagos, and Pamela (Joseph) Holland.

She was a proud grandmother to seven: Samantha (Juan), Alyssa (Frank), Alessandra, George, Harry, Anna, and Charlotte, and a joyful great-grandmother to Sophia and Leo. Kay is also survived by her brother Arthur Molinar and was predeceased by her brother Steve and sister Gloria. She will be remembered with love by her many nieces and nephews, all of whom cherished their Aunt Kay.

During her retirement, Kay embraced her passion for golf, earning a hole-in-one and winning the Ladies Championship at Echo Lake Country Club. She was a longtime member of Trinity Circle at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ, where she found joy in the fellowship of many dear friends. She was also a dedicated Girl Scout Troop leader and spent countless happy hours reading, doing crafts and baking cookies with her granddaughters.

Visitation will begin at 12:45 pm Tuesday, August 5, followed by the funeral service at 1:30 pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in her memory.