Couple get big serving of loyalty

EVERETT — They're still serving up gyros, souvlakia, and biscuits and gravy at Theopatra's deli and restaurant.

Manager Katie Dearman has added cooking, dishwashing and training new employees to her duties, and often works hours she doesn't put on her timecard. Even regular customers have gotten into the act, helping serve customers and doing odd jobs.

"They ask if we need anything, any errands run or something like that," Dearman said. "Sometimes they just say, 'You look busy, I'll take the coffeepot around for you.' "

The Greek restaurant and deli has found itself without its ever-present owners, Theo and Patty Papadopoulos, who both have suffered a series of health problems.

But the couple, who met in a restaurant more than 26 years ago, are determined they won't lose the Everett business they opened about two years ago. Their employees are doing everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen.

"I have to get better. I miss my restaurant," said Patty Papadopoulos from her bed, where she is regaining her strength after having part of a leg amputated Aug. 5. "I'm going crazy just sitting here."

On June 1, Theo Papadopoulos, 45, underwent a triple-bypass surgery. His recovery was going well, but 19 days after his surgery he tripped in a grocery and fell into a shopping cart.

The fall shifted his sternum, which had been wired together. Doctors have told him he will need surgery in a few months to realign the bones, he said.

During Theo's surgery and recovery, Patty had been overseeing things at Theopatra's. That changed July 22 when she was struck by a car while riding her motorcycle to work. The accident mangled her left leg and nearly severed her foot.

"I made up my mind, 'I'm not going to die today,' " said Patty Papadopoulos, 48. " 'There are too many people counting on me. I have too many commitments.' "

Pictures taken of Papadopoulos in the hospital show her leg wrapped and bound with mounds of bandages. She remembers being in a constant haze of pain, even with morphine and other drugs.

Doctors reattached her foot during a 16-hour surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but the injury wouldn't heal. Finally, doctors said it couldn't be saved and had to be amputated.

After more than 20 days in the hospital, Papadopoulos came home last week.

"I'm thankful to be alive," she said. "I can't believe I made it."

While the Papadopouloses face their struggles to heal, their employees are keeping the restaurant going.

"The restaurant is doing fine," said Dearman, the restaurant manager. "We have a family atmosphere going on in there."

Dearman has known the couple for about seven years, and she and her daughter have worked for them off and on during that time. Before coming to Everett, the Papadopouloses owned Patty's Eggnest restaurant in Seattle, where Dearman also worked.

"This is just a bump in the road for them," Dearman said.

Other friends have stepped forward to help build a wheelchair ramp to the couple's Everett apartment. Another friend who owns a nearby car dealership has offered to lend them a car to replace Patty's motorcycle.

Theo Papadopoulos tries to stop by and make the gravy or the hollandaise sauce. But he isn't supposed to lift anything heavier than a loaf of bread.

Meanwhile, the bills are mounting because the couple do not have health insurance.

"I thought we could wait until the restaurant was making better money," Theo said.

"I just want my baby to get better," Theo said, gazing at Patty, who was propped in bed at their apartment. "We've been married 26 wonderful years. I know what we are going through right now, it hasn't been easy."

Rachel Tuinstra: 425-783-0674 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com