Mallie Gladis of Bristol, Conn., passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on Monday, Nov. 27, following a brief illness, with her son and daughter by her side. Mallie was born in Bristol on March 13, 1925, to the late Talle and Katherine (Malechkos) Gatzuras who immigrated from Kozani Greece in the early 1900’s. 

She attended local schools and after graduating high school she remained in Bristol to help with her family’s business, Pete’s Luncheonette. She worked at Pete’s for 35 years where she always greeted customers with a smile and a hot dog with meat sauce. She went on to become a cook at the Plainville Day Care Center where she introduced the children and staff to her favorite Greek recipes.

Mallie was very proud of her Greek heritage. She was a devoted member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Bristol, where she made many friends and enjoyed conversing in Greek with them. She spent many years working at the annual Greek Festival where she enjoyed the food, music and dancing. She was also a member of the Philoptochos Society. 

Mallie’s greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends. Summers at the beach and weekly family dinners are just a few of the ways that she created memories and oh, what memories they are. Mallie loved to travel and always looked forward to her annual trips to Florida to visit her sister Anita, her best friend in life. Mallie also enjoyed memorable trips to Greece with her family. 

Mallie leaves behind her son Ted Gladis, (Karen) and her daughter JoAnn Barganier; her grandchildren, who loved their Yia-yia dearly, Ryan Barganier (Courtney), Stephanie Trivedi (Mitesh), Katie Gladis-Plourde (Patrick) and Carrie Barganier; her five great grandchildren, Ethan, Brandon, Lilly, Austin and Adriana, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to her husband Edward, she was predeceased by two brothers, John Gatzuras and Arthur Gatzuras, two sisters, Ellie Melingonis and Anita Meligonis, her son in-law John Barganier and grandson Nathan Barganier. 

The family would like to thank all people that have provided support, especially “nurse” Jessie. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. from Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 31 Brightwood Rd., Bristol, for a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol. 

Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, on Sunday between 3 and 5 p.m. with a Trisagion ritual at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 31 Brightwood Rd., Bristol, CT 06010 or to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111. 

Please visit Mallie’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.

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