Florence "Honey" Karalekas, 77, of Naples, FL, formerly of New Bedford, died Sunday July 27, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Anthony W. Karalekas.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Jonathan L. and Irma (Wordell) Chace, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life, summering in the Hemlocks, Lakeville, and wintering in Florida.
Mrs. Karalekas was formerly employed as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital many years ago. She also had been a swimming instructor at the Y.W.C.A. in New Bedford.
She was a member of St. Luke's Alumni Association and the Y.W.C.A. She was a graduate of New Bedford High School and the St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. An avid tennis player, she had been the women's tennis coach at Holy Family High School for several years.
Survivors include three children, Karen Holmstrom and her husband Michael of Dartmouth, William A. Karalekas of Greenacres, FL and Jonathan A. Karalekas and his wife Carol of Naples; two brothers Russell S. Chace of Santa Cruz, CA, and Jonathan L. Chace and his wife Pauline of New Bedford; a sister Eunice Crump and her husband Bill of Port St. Lucie, FL; six grandchildren, Tyler and Carrie Holmstrom, David, Matthew, Peter, and Tony Karalekas; and several nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Carrie Holmstrom Shriners Fund, c/o David Faulkner, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.