Despina Cockinos

January 5, 2018

    Mrs. Despina “Dee” Kleamenakis Cockinos, retired, of Frank C. Cockinos & Associates, Inc. Consulting Engineers, 91, of Charlotte, NC passed away on January 5, 2018 at the Pavilion Health Care Center. She was born in New Orleans, LA on September 26, 1926 to her parents, the late Andrew Peter Kleamenakis and Jasame Gregorio Kleamenakis. She was married to the late Frank C. Cockinos who passed away in 2012 on October 30, 1960 in New Orleans and settled in Charlotte, NC  for the remainder of her life.

     Dee was a graduate of Sophie B. Wright High School for girls in New Orleans and played the violin in the school orchestra and later in life with the Charlotte Symphony. She was a Hospital Volunteer at Grey Lady in earlier years. She was also a graduate of Southwestern Business College in New Orleans, attending St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans and DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

      During World War II, she was employed with the Naval Supply Depot where she ordered equipment and supplies for our United States Navy.

       Upon her arrival in Charlotte, NC she worked hand in hand with Frank Cockinos to build a successful Consulting Engineering firm holding the title of Secretary-Treasurer until her retirement in 1999.

      She enjoyed traveling with her husband, gardening, reading, and entertaining. She was a member of the Professional Engineers Ladies Auxiliary to the North Carolina South Piedmont Chapter, serving as President in 1976-1977. She was a lifetime member of the Daughters of Penelope, a member of the Charlotte Opera Guild where she and Frank thoroughly enjoyed attending the Opera and Symphony of Charlotte, and a member of Young at Heart at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.

      During the middle part of her life, she owned and operated Despina’s Antiques in Waxhaw, NC and was known as the “Linen Lady”. Most of her linens were quite unique; many of these linens were found in European countries where she and Frank traveled frequently. 

      Despina is survived by her son Dean Cockinos and his wife Timira Christenbury Cockinos and by her daughter Maria Malliadis and her husband Nikos Malliadis.  She also has two dearly loved grandsons, Christian Constantine Cockinos and Joshua Frank Cockinos, all of Charlotte, NC.  She especially enjoyed watching her grandsons grow.  She is also survived by her sister Angela Pembo and brother’s Nick Kleamenakis, and wife Argie, Andrew Kleamenakis, all of New Orleans, LA and by her late husbands’ sisters Petsa Schwartz of CA, Mary Catsimatides of NY, Happy Cockinos of SC, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband’s brother Mike Cockinos in 2016.

     We would like to thank the nursing staff of The Pavilion Health Care Center at Brightmore, Liberty Hospice, and Mrs. Cockinos’ Physician Dr. Peter Copsis, all of Charlotte, for their continued care over that last few years seeing that mom was always comfortable and in good hands.

     Funeral Service for Mrs. Cockinos will be held at Noon on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Forest Lawn East Cemetery following the service.

      Memorials may be sent to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC 28270 in care of the Cockinos Family Youth Endowment Fund.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Nick and Maria Collias

    Dear Cockinos Family,
    God rest her soul, and what a beautiful soul she has. Nick and I knew Frank from the time we were kids, and Frank was in my cousin, Paul Lamprinakos's wedding. Of course, we got to know Dee when Frank brought her to Charlotte as a bride. What a devoted couple, and what a model family! Our church family will always miss their presence. Our deepest sympathy to all of you.
    Eternal be their memories.

    Nick and Maria Collias

  • Mike Kennedy

    Dean,
    My sincere condolences to you and all of your family. Your Mother was truly an exceptional lady.
    Mike Kennedy
    Shelby, NC
    UNC-CH ‘63

  • Petsa Schwartz

    May Dee's memory be eternal. I have many pleasant memories of Dee. Frank and Dee invited Gela and me to join them on many trips they took and we had such a wonderful time. I loved her like a sister.