Obituary of Vasilia Klekos

Vasilia "Bessie" (Kanakis) Klekos, 61 of Vineland, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Inspira Medical Center, Vineland. She was born in Heraklion, Crete, Greece on July 7, 1959. She was employed by the Vineland Board of Education as head cook at Rossi School, Vineland. Bessie enjoyed dancing, laughing, traveling, going to church and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was involved with several businesses and was the life of the party everywhere she went. Bessie was a member of the St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church where she was part of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos and the Maids of Athena. She is predeceased by her parents, Nikolaos and Ekaterina Kanakis and step-son, Chris Klekos. Bessie is survived by her beloved husband, Eleftherios "Lefty" Klekos; sons, Nick Dounoulis and wife Deanne (Paterno) of Vineland and Christos Dounoulis of Vineland; stepchildren, Louis Klekos and wife Martha (Alvarez) of Vineland, Harry Klekos and wife Maria (Mainardi) of DE and Connie Klekos-Lirio and husband Chris of Vineland; brother, Gus Kanakis and wife Katrina (Moniodis) and sister, Kristina (Kanakis) Sotiropoulos; grandchildren, Lukas and Lorenzo Dounoulis, Chris, Alexa and Sophia Klekos and CJ Lirio; nieces, Dena Sotiropoulos and Kristina (CJ) Rowe, great niece, Julia Sotiropoulos and Constantine Rowe. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 9am to 11am, followed by funeral services at 11am at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, 430 W. Wheat Rd., Vineland. Burial will follow in Siloam Cemetery, Vineland. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations in Bessie's name to the church. Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.