Maria (Karalis) Bilmazes, 79, of Haverhill, passed away at her home on Friday July 25, 2014 due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Maria was born and raised in Eklisoula, Megalopolis, Greece. She was the daughter of the late Vasili and Eleni (Magiavas) Karalis. Before immigrating to Haverhill in 1959, Maria worked in Canada where relatives introduced her to her future husband, James. In 1959, she came to Haverhill, then married James in 1960 and began their family and raising four daughters.
Maria was employed by Samuel Roberts as a stitcher, and at the former Lucent Technologies. Also, she was a member of Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society Elpis.
In addition to her husband of 54 years, James G. Bilmazes, she is survived by her loving children, Joanne Bilmazes, Catherine Bilmazes and Georgia Bilmazes of Haverhill, and Elaine Mansfield and husband Ian of Plaistow, NH; granddaughters, Sarah and Maria Mansfield; siblings, Nicholaos Karalis and wife Diane, Gus Karalis of Ontario, Canada and Panayiotis Karalis of Athens, Greece; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family gratefully acknowledges the care and comfort extended to their mother over the last three years by Angel Home Care. Also, the support of the Haverhill Police and Fire Departments, whether it was searching for her early in her disease, helping us when she had fallen or at the final hour. You were always very professional in the way you handled matters and it will always be appreciated.
Her Funeral will be held Tuesday morning, July 29, beginning in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street at 10:00 AM. Funeral Service in the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154-156 Winter Street, Haverhill at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Mill Street, Haverhill.
Calling hours will be Monday in the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
Courtesy transportation to the visitation will be provided on request by calling Patrick Driscoll at (978) 374-0000.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Maria’s memory to Beth Israel Deaconess Development Office, c/o Daniel Press, MD Research Fund, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.