11/13/2025
Nikoleta "Niki" Marie Tsavalas
Nikoleta "Niki" Marie Tsavalas, a radiant spirit whose presence infused warmth and joy into every life she touched, departed this earthly realm on November 10, 2025, at the age of 46. Born on January 18, 1979, in Oak Park, Illinois, Niki was a remarkable woman who lived her life with compassion, grace, and an unwavering faith.
Niki dedicated over 25 years to the art of dentistry, beginning her illustrious career under the mentorship of Johanna K. Manous. She evolved into an inspiring surgical assistant alongside Dr. Jay Platt in Schererville, Indiana, where she remained a cherished figure amongst her colleagues and patients alike. Her role transcended the conventional confines of her profession; she was a mentor to many, establishing her own training program that helped shape the next generation of dental assistants. The profound impact of her kindness, empathy, and charisma permeated every office she graced, leaving an indelible mark on both her coworkers and the patients she served.
Niki is survived by her beloved husband, Alex Tsavalas, and their cherished children, Niko and Helena Tsavalas. Each of them held memories that encapsulated her spirit—her compassionate nature, the comfort of their shared moments, and the strong foundation she instilled within them. Her love radiated through the simple, yet powerful instances of their lives—whether through dance at their wedding or the warmth she exuded during family gatherings.
She also leaves behind a nation of family including her devoted mother, Cheryl Koutsis, and father, Xristos Koutsis. The bonds she nurtured with her brothers—Franco, Tommy, David, and Danny Koutsis—highlight her capacity for love and unity. Each brother carries their own cherished memories of her, from playful childhood adventures to profound moments of shared life experience. Niki’s sister-in-law, Traicy Koutsis, fondly recalls the moment Niki welcomed her into the family with the endearing title of "Sis," celebrating the elegance and beauty she exuded in every facet of life. Niki’s love also expanded to and enriched the lives of her mother and father-in-law Nick and Christina Tsavalas, her sisters-in-law Betty Karimalis (Apostolis Karimalis), Angela Kondellas (Tom Kondellas), Koula Kouvaris (Stephanos Kouvaris). Niki limitlessly cherished and loved her nephews nieces Giannis Karimalis, Stavros Arnoutos, Christina Karimalis, Koralia Karimalis, Xristina Kouvaris, and Sophia Kouvaris. Every moment she spent with them was Niki’s joy and heart.
Niki's rich tapestry of life was interwoven with interests that defined her essence: faith, family, interior design, and the joy found in gardening and thrifting. She had a fondness for cozy evenings spent in a dimly lit room, cradling a good book or sharing laughter over romantic comedies. Her talent for culinary creations bore witness to her nurturing spirit, as she took great delight in hosting family and friends, transforming simple gatherings into memorable events that fostered community and connection.
As Niki continues her journey beyond this life, she is lovingly remembered not only for her accomplishments but for the authenticity of her being—a warrior of love, a fierce protector of family, and a beacon of light in the lives of all who knew her. She enriched her community through her vast array of talents, from her artistic flair in design to the humor that danced through her conversations.
Helena's Love Story
Nikoleta Marie Tsavalas, or better known as "Niki", my mother, was a gift from God that no amount of hardship could overcome, no amount of stress can sabotage, and not even the size of God's large oceans can drown. As for her heart, it was more vast than every ocean God created, enough to emit a captivating allure into the definition of a woman made of pure gold, pure love, and pure God. And as pure as God is He decided to lift her glorious soul all the way up until the clouds seen from Earth were in celebration with the essence of devotion to Jesus of every ounce of her being, to live amongst the stars right next to God to watch over all of us to become who God needs us to be in this world,on November 10, 20205, at the age of 46. On January 18, 1979, in Oak Park, Illinois, Niki was sent from the sky to serve her time on Earth by encouraging change for the world but ultimately for God, providing profound ways of love unique to the person she was, walking through life as her feet were encouraged and pushed to keep moving forward only through the strength of God she was gifted with, no matter how challenging life can get, loving her husband Alex Tsavalas,not as the world teaches wives to love their husbands but as God told wives to love their husbands, the most genuine form of love one can possibly offer, and wholeheartedly breathing the life of God into her two kids, Niko and Helena Tsavalas, leaving them behind with teachings that not even the most egregious things can prosper against, ever, through all trials of life that are nothing God can't put back together.
She dedicated 25 years of dentistry, she first was accepted into amentorship of Johanna K. Manous at the age of 16, and evolved beautifully into a surgical assistant to Dr. Jay Platt in Chererville Indiana, where her charismatic and magnetic self left an impression of inspiration and elegance to her colleagues and patients alike. Her position and service to the office sprinted outside the box and redefined the philosophy of their office, as she was a quality mentor to many, establishing her own training program that helped shape the next generation of dental assistants. The potent impact of her kindness, sarcasm, and empathy for the person next to her changed the structure and air of every office she ever graced,gifting an unforgettable mark on her coworkers and those of which she served, all while maintaining her femininity yet continuing to never let go of her strength,making her a natural born leader, especially to girls like her daughter that has received the purest form of love. Everyone that is survived by her is forever grateful that her hand was in her life, and their memories are laced with the knowing that she is not gone from them, and she will never be. Her foundation she taught her family to build up with her courage, comfort, and radiance no matter how much she complained of aging, that her nature consisted of, will live on forever.
Her mother, Cheryl Koutsis, and her father, Xristos Koutsis, are forever gloriously blessed to have a child that beared the weight of the Cross. Herbrothers, Franco, Tommy, David, and Danny Koutsis are blessed to be given such an amazing human in their life. Niki's sister in law, Traicy Koutsis, fondly recalls the moment Niki welcomed her into the family with the endearing title of "Sis", celebrating the elegance and pure beauty she exuded in every facet of life. Niki’s love also expanded to and enriched the lives of her mother and father-in-law Nick and Christina Tsavalas, her sisters-in-law Betty Karimalis (Apostolis Karimalis), Angela Kondellas (Tom Kondellas), Koula Kouvaris (Stephanos Kouvaris). Niki limitlessly and unconditionally cherished and loved her nephews nieces Giannis Karimalis, Stavros Arnoutos, Christina Karimalis, Koralia Karimalis, Xristina Kouvaris, and Sophia Kouvaris. Every moment she spent with them was Niki’s joy and heart.
My mother found rich tapestry in life, interwoven with interests that eased her beautiful mind: Interior design, thrifting, gardening, cozy evenings accompanied by candles in dimly lit rooms, cradling a good book or sharing laughter over romantic comedies. But most of all, family and faith, the things that brought tears for humanity to her eyes, yet reminded her to do as God would do as that will make the tears of sadness cried by humanity into tears of joy. Her talent inspired her nurturing spirit,as she took great delight in hosting family and friends, transforming simple gatherings into memorable events where the spirit of Niki's presence stayed still and always will. The sun followed her as she lived through her life, and her shine was even brighter than the sun, through a living light from God, far beyond human capacity and so bright that humanity can't even begin to fathom. The authenticity of her being, a God sculpted warrior, a fierce protector, like the only tiger left on Earth, with stripes beaming with resilience. Her humor was enough to evaporate from the face of this idea that we're breathing in called life, and her soul defied gravity. Her beautiful state of mind was enough to light up an abandoned city, and when anyone looked at her, they saw the face of Cleopatra, dangerously beautiful and divinely powerful. My mom always looked like Cleopatra to me, and whenever I wear black eyeliner she tells me I look like Cleopatra as well, but with or without eyeliner, my face will always be fiercely indulged in the duty of carrying my mother's appearance, as her blood will always run through my veins. The message of life from God Almighty lives in my mother's soul, and I was blessed enough to have Cleopatra for 14 years of my life. Niki's life will be celebrated at Saint George Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana. Though my mother no longer walks among us, her spirit will forever shine brightly in the hearts of those she held dear, reminding us of the power of compassion, love, faith, and devotion, and her legacy will live on for the coming ages of this world God sent us to. The love and precious life my dear mother embraced with her life history from ethereal mountains of Zakynthos, Greece that she looked upon, to the eternity of where she now lives, our wonderful gift is at last where she was meant to be from the minute God made her. Amen.
Niki's life will be celebrated at St. George Hellenic Greek Church 528 W. 77th Ave. Schererville, Indiana. The viewing will commence on November 17, 2025, at 10:30 AM until 12pm, followed by a Mass honoring her memory at noon.
A burial will follow Mass at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Crown Point , IN.
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