Georgia Galanis

Georgia Galanis, 90, of Ipswich, beloved and devoted wife of the late Andrew Galanis, died peacefully on March 21, 2026 at her home surrounded by family.    Born in Megalopolis, Arcadia, Greece in 1935.   She was the daughter of John and Angela Zervas.   

In 1957 she immigrated from Greece to Toronto, Canada to live with her aunt and uncle, where she found employment at a chair manufacturing company.     She moved to Ipswich in 1958 to visit her brother and became a lifelong resident of Ipswich working as a talented seamstress in the early years.   On December 28, 1959 she married Andrew and started her family raising three children.   She was a longtime member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Ipswich.  She was a longtime member of the Melissa Ladies Society. 

She loved to cook and bake and will always be remembered for her delicious Greek pastries.   You were always well fed when you visited YiaYia’s home.     Combining the baking experiences with her growing and extended family allowed her to be the host of many family holiday gatherings.    She treasured time with close friends knitting and crocheting making beautiful gifts for loved ones.   Her faith, family, and friends were what she treasured most and her greatest pride.    Additionally, one of her favorite recent memories that she dwelled upon was seeing her grandsons carry the Epitaphios during the Greek Orthodox procession on Good Friday evening around the neighborhood.    

Georgia’s love for the outdoors was endless.  Swimming, walking at Crane’s Beach, and gardening were among her favorite activities.      “YiaYia” taught her six grandchildren that it was never too late to educate yourself and wanted each one of them to become successful and happy in any of their endeavors.   She received her GED in America as she felt that this was the greatest country on earth.   Travelling around Europe and America as members of AARP and recalling her WW II occupation of Megalopolis allowed her to give her grandchildren a true appreciation of America’s freedom.     Her many stories of the farm in Greece, the German occupation of her home and town, and the resilience of the family during difficult periods of life conveyed a strength to her grandchildren.  

Georgia and her husband Andrew shared 61 years of marriage together.    She is survived by her son John and his wife Christine; her daughter Ethel DePasquale and her husband Paul; and her daughter Angela Mitchell and her husband Barry.   “YiaYia” Galanis is also survived by her six grandchildren Andrew and Constantine Galanis; Derek and Nicholas DePasquale; and Andrew and Hannah Mitchell.    She is also survived by her sister Niki Prothomedis and her husband Andonis from Athens.    She was also predeceased by her sister Soula Tsoumanis of Athens; and brothers Louis from Scituate, Panagiotis, Giorgos,  and Theodoros from Megalopolis, and Andreas of Kalamata and their families. 

Arrangements:  Visiting hours are Sunday, March 29th from 3pm to 6pm in Morris Funeral Home, 45 North Main Street, Ipswich.   A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30th at 11am , at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 8 Lafayette Rd., Ipswich.   Friends and relatives are respectfully invited.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mrs. Galanis’ name to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Ipswich, PO Box 6,  Ipswich, MA 01938.   For directions or to send a condolence to the Galanis family, please visit www.MorrisFH.com

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