Leta K. Stathacos, 91, passed away peacefully in Sudbury, Massachusetts on Sunday, September 25, 2022. The daughter of Foula and George D. Karrys of Toronto, Leta was born as a first generation Greek Canadian on October, 16, 1930. Bilingual in Greek and English, Leta grew up in metropolitan Toronto and attended Havergal College from kindergarten through grade 13. She remained in close touch with her Havergal friends, especially her #1 BFF, Ruth Pitman, her sister for life. Leta attended the University of Toronto, studying Art and Archeology for one year before marrying Dean C. Stathacos on August 30, 1950. They met dancing at a Greek Ahepa dance in Buffalo and were engaged six weeks later. After a honeymoon in Sun Valley, Idaho, they settled in Buffalo where they lovingly raised three children and were socially active in the arts, business and Greek communities. Leta and Dean loved to host parties, attend art openings and have dinner out with friends, supporting many favorite restaurants in the Elmwood neighborhood.

Leta’s biggest passion as a child was attending the Toronto Maple Leaf games with her father's best friend, Charlie Brown, the Greek Mushroom King of Canada. Leta was a season ticket holder from age 9 until she moved to Buffalo at age 19. Leta especially loved recalling stories of the fights when the Leafs played against their biggest rival -- The Montreal Canadians, with the legendary Rocket Richard. In 1970, when the Sabres arrived in Buffalo, she marched Dean down to the old Memorial Auditorium to select, in person, two season ticket seats. They walked and sat in numerous seats throughout the Aud until landing on a pair in the corner golds next to the zamboni entrance. Hockey had returned to her life.

Leta and Dean lived in Kenmore and Snyder before moving permanently to downtown Buffalo in 1970. Leta immediately became deeply involved in many facets of the Buffalo Community. She joined the Junior League of Buffalo where she made many lasting friendships and served as President. During the 1960's she worked at Miles Gardner for Children as their gift buyer and fashion coordinator and consulted to Mabel Danahy, Inc. where she coordinated fashion fundraising benefits, including bringing the historic designer Bill Blass to Buffalo for a fashion show to benefit Children's Hospital.

In 1973, Leta co-founded WonderWomen Employment Agency, a career placement agency that established the concept of placing Buffalo women in responsible positions. She and her two co-founders, Nancy Bakay and Betsy Hopkins, used their vast social and business connections to introduce their clients to business owners, executives and government officials.

Leta left WonderWomen in 1975 to establish the Gallery Shop at the Albright-Knox where she developed many lifelong friendships including dear friends Bob Buck, Lenore Godin, Jackie Holland, Charlotta Kotik, Serena Rattazzi, Doug Schultz, and officemate Karen Spaulding who, as Editor of Publications, needed a quiet environment. Karen, known for a clean, organized desk, sat mere feet away from Leta’s chaotic desk, numerous objet d’art and loud phone decorum. Despite their opposing styles, their friendship endured with Karen lovingly helping Leta with great care and love on her visits to Massachusetts in the last year of Leta’s life.

Leta’s work at the Albright connected her to the Museum Store Association where Leta sat on the board for many years, serving as Vice President from 1981-1983. Leta lectured and was a mentor to many Museum Store professionals throughout the years. In 1986, Leta founded ArtObjects Unlimited, Inc., a company that represented artists and craftspeople to the retail trade. She ran the company from her home office in Buffalo for 20 years retiring in 2006. In 2007, she received the prestigious “Award for Recognition for Outstanding Service to the MSA”. Her 35 years of service resulted in a beloved nickname coined by many friends and colleagues - "The Grande Dame of Museum Stores”.

In 1978, she was selected to represent the Museum Industry as a member of a delegation of book sellers and publishers which travelled to China prior to normalization of relations. Her writing "Inside China - Letters from Leta" was the centerpiece of The Buffalo News Magazine section on Sunday, October 15th, 1978, one day before her 48th birthday. Leta went on to lead a delegation of museum store professionals to China in 1981 that culminated in a lifelong love of Chinese arts and crafts.

Through the latter 1980's and 90's, Leta continued to consult to a number of museums, sat on several boards, helped young artists with product development, ran a two week seminar in Cairo, Egypt under a fellowship from Unesco, travelled extensively with her husband Dean, lovingly cared for her mother, Foula, in her last months, and became a grandmother -- perhaps her favorite position of all.

After her loving husband, the Honorable Judge Dean C. Stathacos passed away in 2009, Leta moved her home and energetic spirit to Lincoln, Massachusetts to be close to her grandchildren. At her new home, ‘The Commons’, she immediately made her imprint on several committees including the Resident Marketing Team, the Art committee, and perhaps her most favorite, The Wine Club. Leta continued to make precious trips to family and friends in Buffalo, and Athens, Greece, and would hold court on Greek Art and culture at social events upon her return for friends at The Commons. Leta developed close friendships with some of her daughters’ local friends, especially Tara Kenney Grassey, Kathy Harris, Jody Kablack, and Liz Rust who visited Leta frequently and loved listening to her endless stories.

Leta made many friends throughout the years and held them all close to her heart. She was a devoted wife and mother, exceptional storyteller, business woman, volunteer, connector of people and a devoted daily reader of the New York Times. On September 25, 2022, at age 91, she quietly declared her work on earth complete, and reunited with her dear husband Dean, and beloved son Charles in Heaven.

In addition to many friends, God-daughters and extended family in the USA, Canada, London, Paris and Greece, she leaves behind daughters Chrysanne Stathacos, Alexa (Peter) Crowe and daughter-in-law Lauren Davis. She was the doting grandmother of Marika and Matthew Crowe; dear sister of Thanos (Gail) Karrys and loving Aunt to George (Harmony) Karrys and Alexandra (Jason) Franchi. Funeral Liturgy service will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Buffalo on Monday, October 3, at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to The Albright-Knox Art Gallery: https://3048a.blackbaudhostin… or Dress for Success Worldwide

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