Plan for the Future
Kassiani (“Kasey”) Dakos Jeffries passed away peacefully at her home in Chatham, NJ, on December 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Kasey is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Michael Jeffries; children Paul Jeffries and Elena Jeffries Nadgauda (Nikhil); grandchildren Sofia and Lucas Nadgauda; sisters-in-law Eleni Dakos and Diane Hinden (Steve); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Eleni (Tsikas) Dakos, and her brother George Dakos.
Kasey was born in Griasdani, Northern Epirus as an American citizen. Her father had immigrated to the United States as a young adult, becoming a citizen before later returning to Griasdani to start his family and travel back and forth to build a better life for them. In 1949, during the final year of the Greek Civil War, Kasey, her brother, and their mother courageously made a harrowing escape from their communist-ruled region into neighboring Greece. After a brief stay, they joined her father in New York City. She never forgot this profound journey from her small village to a new life in the United States.
Kasey attended The Greek Orthodox Cathedral School in Manhattan through eighth grade, at the beloved parish where she grew up and met many of her lifelong friends. She graduated from Washington Irving High School and then earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Public Accounting from Pace University in the early 1960s. She went on to be one of the first women accountants hired by Price Waterhouse, a major international CPA firm.
Kasey met the love of her life, Michael, also an accountant, while they were working together at another firm. The couple married in 1968 and moved to New Jersey shortly thereafter, eventually settling in Morris County. Kasey took a career break to raise their two children and thoroughly enjoyed those years as a stay-at-home mom. Upon returning to the workforce, she finished her professional career as a trust and estates administration officer for a major bank.
In 2006, Kasey and Michael purchased a vacation home near Naples, Florida, where they spent winters relaxing with friends and enjoying retirement. Throughout the years they were active members of several Greek Orthodox parishes: St. George in Clifton, NJ, Holy Trinity in Westfield, NJ, and St. Katherine in Naples, FL.
Kasey loved spending time with her family and dear friends, and was an incredibly loving, nurturing, and devoted wife, mother, and yiayia (grandmother). Her grandchildren brought her abundant joy, and nothing made her happier than “spoiling” them and encouraging them in all their pursuits. Kasey will be remembered for her tenacity and strength, diligent attention to detail, impeccable taste, sense of humor, and generosity. Her memory will continue to inspire her husband, children, and grandchildren, who carry forward her legacy with pride.
May her memory be eternal!
