Jilda Rae Karabogias, 68, Owner of Bill's Bakery in Lorain

She was born May 29, 1947 of Angelo and Ula (née Johnson) Ortenzi, in Bay Village, Ohio. Graduating from Brookside High School in 1965, she went on to marry Pete Karabogias. He was the love of her life. Together they owned and operated Bill's Bakery in South Lorain for over 40 years.

Bill's Bakery was the place to go for holiday cookies and bread, especially Greek Easter Bread. Pete and his brother, Alex, baked all the goodies in the back while Jilda oversaw the sales. An example of their kindness and love for the Lorain community was when U.S. Steel was on a yearlong strike. Pete and Alex would bake all night and in the morning Jilda would deliver the baked goods to the strike gates in order to support the strikers and their families and help them through the hard times. Jilda was also part of the custodial staff at Lorain City Schools for 10 years.

She was member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lorain. Jilda spent her days watching home remodeling shows, doing crosswords and Sudoku. She also enjoyed casinos and playing with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son Constantine and daughter in law Dr. Joan Karabogias of Cleveland Heights as well as her sister Debra Ortenzi of Amherst. Jilda was also the proud grandmother of Jordan, Peter, Zoe, Maximilian and Samuel.

Jilda was preceded in death by her beloved husband Pete in 2008, parents Angelo and Ula and brother Angelo "Mike" Ortenzi.

Her family will receive friends Tuesday, February 23, from 4 to 7 PM at Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 E. 31st South Lorain. Trisagion Service at 6 PM. The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday at 11 AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The Rev. Protopresbyter Father Michael C. Gulgas will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain, OH, 44052.

For further information and to sign the online register book, see Reidyfuneral.com.