Eleni (Gardanis) Dimitriadis, 100, of Worcester passed away, April 11th in Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Her husband of 58 years, Eftyhios "Happy" Ioannis Dimitriadis died in 1998. She is survived by her two sons, Plato “Johnny” Dimitriadis of Worcester and Eleftherios "Terry” Dimitriadis and his wife, Marianthi, of Fort Lee, NJ; two grandsons, Tony and his wife, Heidi, Demetri and his wife, Jen, three great-granddaughters, Ella, Alyssa and Natalie and extended family in Greece and Canada. She was predeceased by three sisters, Anastasia, Thomai and Persefoni and her brother, Spiro.
She was born in Pisoderi, Florina, Greece, the daughter of Fotios and Athena Maria (Thomou) Gardanis. In July of 1939 she met her soon to be husband and married in Pili, Florina. In 1956 she and her husband and son Eleftherios immigrated to Fredericksburg, VA and soon moved to Worcester, where the couple both worked at Table Talk Pie before the birth of her second son, Plato. Eleni then worked as technician for Astra Pharmaceutical. As a teenager and young adult in Greece, Eleni watched her older sister's children, performed arduous housework and devoted herself to the well being of her family. Despite her 3rd grade education, Eleni was well versed and spoke 5 languages; with a penchant for needlework, she created intricate and beautiful clothing and table coverings. She enjoyed cooking, singing and gardening and quickly made friends with everyone she met. Eleni was a member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, its Senior Group and the Ladies Philoptochos Society. Both she and her husband were active volunteers at many of the events hosted by the Cathedral. She also attended St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Shrewsbury and could often be found making pita with the baking group there.
Eleni's family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the priests that visited her, the front line workers for their extraordinary care and the staff of Holy Trinity for the compassion and care they provided to Eleni during her stay there.
The funeral is Tuesday, April 18th with a service at 11:00 a.m. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 until the time of the service on the morning of the funeral at the Cathedral. O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606 or St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral. May her memory be eternal.