Norma J. Gulecas, 93, of Fairhaven died December 28, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Martha (Tzikas) and James Constantine Gulecas, she moved to Fairhaven in the early 1920's. Her father operated the Oriental Tea and Coffee House in New Bedford and later owned Friend's Lunch in downtown New Bedford.
She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, class of 1942, and Kinyon Business School.
As a young girl she was employed by Cherry & Webb, New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Company, and Prudential Life Insurance Company. She then worked for Mass. Welfare Department until her retirement.
Norma was involved in a wide range of civic and religious activities. She was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, served as president, vice president and secretary in her parish's chapter of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America. She also served as the president and secretary of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Other activities in her parish include serving as chairperson of various committees organized to promote bake sales, parish dances, and other social and religious functions. In 2001 she was the recipient of the Laiety Award.
Involved in community service, Miss Gulecas was a member of the board of directors of the Greater New Bedford Concert Series and a committee member of the Friends of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She also served on the Finance Committee in Fairhaven for several years.
A violinist, Miss Gulecas performed in Boston with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra for 14 years. She also performed with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Bedford Symphony, the Fall River Symphony Orchestra and the Brockton Senior Citizens Orchestra.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Anastasia Sykes, Constantine "Dino" Gulecas, and Lazarus Gulecas.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be held before the service from 10 - 10:30 AM at the Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a small act of kindness in her memory. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.