Obituary of Vasiliki Klekos

Vasiliki "Bessie" Gentchos Klekos, passed away peacefully at SJH Hospicecare, Bridgeton on Friday February 24, 2012. Bessie was born in Sklithron, Greece in October of 1927 to her parents, Theodore and Evagelia Gentchos. She immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager where she worked as a seamstress. In 1955, she married her late husband, Louis Klekos. The couple moved to Vineland in 1970, and opened the Presidential Diner. Bessie, better known as Yia-Ya to her family and friends, enjoyed cooking, traveling, social events, trips to the Atlantic City Casinos, but most of all, her biggest joy was her grandchildren. She was involved in every aspect of her grandchildren's lives. Bessie was a proud American and an avid follower of politics. Bessie is survived by her daughter, Barbara and her husband Howard Williams and their children Rebecca, Jessica, and Justin all of Colorado. Her son, George and wife Maria (Genova) and their children Max, Mia, and Meg. Her son, Eleftherios "Lefty" and his wife Bessie and children, Louie (Martha), Harry (Maria), Connie (Chris Lirio) Klekos and Nicholaos (Deanne) and Christos Dounoulis, and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Andrea and husband Jerry Karapalidies of Mantua, and Pauline Yotis of Toronto, Canada, sister in law, Pat Voltsis from Toronto, Canada and many nieces, nephews, and cousins from the U.S., Canada, and Greece. She is pre-deceased by her brothers Vasilios, Demitrios, Georgeos, sister Katina and grandson Chris Klekos. She will be deeply missed by all. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11am at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, 430 Wheat Road, Vineland. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends will be received on Tuesday evening from 6pm to 9pm at the DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland and Wednesday morning at the CHURCH from 10am to 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church. Please visit dlfuneral.com to send condolences to the family.