Dora Kaliamos, 85, passed away in the early hours of November 16, 2024. She left us peacefully, surrounded by family and friends in the final days of her full and active life.

The eldest of eight children, Dora was born in St. Mary’s, Kansas to Frank and Fredia Jager. Her Kansas roots were represented by her favorite flower, the sunflower, displayed throughout her home. In her early years the Jagers migrated westward, settling in Oregon and Northern California. Eureka was home to Dora for most of her life. She traveled to all corners of the U.S. and spread her wings globally with trips to Italy, a family visit to Greece, and numerous adventures Down Under.

Dora was a member of the first graduating class of St. Bernard’s in 1957. Several years later Dora and her husband, Jim Kaliamos, Sr., started their family in Eureka, later moving to Vancouver, Wash. Dora and Jim returned to Eureka after their sons graduated from high school. She was inducted into the St. Bernard’s Hall of Fame in March of 2013.

Dora led a life of service to others. Following high school graduation she entered the nursing profession, a career that spanned her entire life. A milestone achievement was RN certification in 1979. All the more remarkable was that she completed her studies concurrently with two teenage sons in high school while continuing to work at the hospital. Dora was a surgical RN at Vancouver Memorial Hospital, then St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. In 2004 Dora was recognized by the the St. Joseph Health System in the Values in Action Awards and was selected as the system-wide finalist for the Service Award. After retiring, Dora continued to volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital into the last year of her life. She was again recognized in the Values in Action Awards in 2014.

After returning to Eureka, Dora owned and operated the popular restaurant, Michael’s Steaks and Spirits, along with her husband, Jim, and brother-in-law, Frank. She continued to work at St. Joseph’s (Providence) as well as volunteering extensively in the community. She volunteered at the Discovery Store, St. Vincent de Paul, Betty Chinn’s Foundation and was an active member of the Emblem Club of the Elk’s Lodge.

Dora’s Native American heritage was maintained as a tribal member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi, People of the Place of Fire. Her ancestry on her mother’s side was the Bird Clan of the DeGraff-Navarre families. Dora will be interred next to her parents amid Jager family at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Mary’s, Kansas.

Daughter, Sister, Mother, and Matriarch. Dora is survived by her two sons, Jim (Carol) and Tom (Leanne); her grandchildren, Ryan (Sheila), Eric ( Christine), and Charlie; her great-granddaughter, Valencia.

Dora leaves behind five of her seven siblings, Frank (Sarah), Mike (Sonia), Patty (Dave), Dorothy (Dennis), Adam (Gilian); her two brothers-in-law, Frank (Joanne), Bill (Clinton), and sister-in-law, Francie. She will be missed by her large, extended family which includes many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Dora was pre-deceased by her parents, Frank and Fredia, her brothers, Paul and David and her husband, Jim.

Her family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt and the staff of Timber Ridge Eureka who cared for Dora in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Dora’s life on November 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Eureka Elks Lodge. In remembrance of Dora’s generosity and service to others, donations can be made to your favorite charity. We know she would appreciate that.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dora Kaliamos’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.