SCARBOROUGH — Kasiani Hasiotis Gikas, 82, of Scarborough, died Nov. 2, at Evergreen Manor in Saco.

Gikas was born in Politsani, Albania, May 10, 1933. She was the only child of Efthemios and Polexeni Zhouli Hasiotis.

Gikas escaped from Albania in 1941 to Yiannina, Greece, where she completed high school. She later attended night school to learn English, and became an American citizen.

She lived in Greece with her mother until her father sent for in America. At age 20 she met her father for the first time, since he had left Albania when she was 2 months old.

She lived in Pawtucket, R.I., where she worked as a seamstress until she met her husband, Stefanos Gikas, at a wedding. Family members say Stefanos was smitten by her dancing and beauty. The couple married June 15, 1958, in Pawtucket, and raised their family in Portland. Gikas was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker who attended Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland. Gikas and her husband operated Eddie’s Variety for 20 years.

Gikas was best known for her hospitality, and loved entertaining. She could often be heard singing village songs; she also enjoyed Greek dancing. Gikas liked knitting and playing Greek card games. She had a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh. A family member said Gikas was “always being welcoming, generous, and you could feel her loving embrace the minute you were in her presence.”

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She enjoyed helping others from Albania and Greece, where she and her husband visited several times. She loved to travel.

She was a member of Daughters of Penelope and Philoptochos and took great pride in preparing her infamous pastichio (Greek lasagna), for the annual church festival and dinners at the church.

Gikas leaves behind her husband of 57 years; a daughter, Olga Hountalas; two sons, Tim and Arthur; six grandsons, Chris, Steve, Athan, Costa, Micah and Stephan; and a granddaughter, Anna.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Reynolds, Maine Medical Center, Brighton Rehab, and Evergreen Manor for their care.

A funeral service was held Nov. 9, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland. Burial followed at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.

Gikas


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