Bessie Poulos, (nee Gikas), age 96, formerly of Kalavryta, Greece and Whiting-Robertsdale IN, has entered the Kingdom of Heaven, having passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 26, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Poulos and cherished mother of George (Mando) Poulos, Peter (Angie) Poulos, Theodore (Becki) Poulos and Louis (Becky) Poulos; grandmother of Valerie, Thomas, Stephanie, Leslie, Matthew, Anthony, Michael and Christian; great-grandmother of Andrew, Jenna, Luke and Kyle; aunt to many nieces and nephews; survived by two loving siblings Alex (Irene, and the late Catherine) Gikas and Vicky (the late Harry) Vardalos. Preceded in death by her brother Peter and sisters in Yannoula, Georgia, and Athanasia.

Born in 1927 and christened “Vasiliki,” Bessie was one of the seven children of Leonidas and Calliope (nee Levendopoulos) Gikas. She was born and raised in the village of Agios Nicholaos, Kalavryta, Greece, where in 1956 she married her adoring husband, Thomas Panopoulos. In June 1963, with the sponsorship of her brother Alex and his wife Catherine “Kay,” Bessie and Tom immigrated to the United States with their three young children, George, Peter and Theodore. Nine months later, Bessie gave birth to her fourth son, Louis. They became U.S citizens in 1968 and, at that time, shortened Panopoulos to Poulos.

Bessie and Tom raised their four boys on 119th Street in the Robertsdale neighborhood of Hammond, IN, just a few houses from Wolf Lake. Bessie was blessed that Alex and Kay also brought to America three additional siblings Peter (the late Sophia) Gikas, Vicky (the late Harry) Vardalos and Athanasia (the late Efthemios) Koutropoulos. The four families, with nineteen children among them, lived within two or three blocks of each other in Robertsdale for decades– the Koutropoulos family right next door.

Bessie was happiest at large family gatherings for holidays, weddings, baptisms and birthday parties surrounded by her children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws and nieces and nephews. Of course, her favorite holiday was New Year’s Day, which was also her “Name Day,” January 1 st being the feast day of St. Basil (Agios Vasileios in Greek). So Bessie always prepared and hosted a New Year’s Day feast.

Tom and Bessie worked hard to build a better life for themselves and their children. While Tom worked three jobs, six (and often seven) days a week, Bessie worked in the Clark High School cafeteria with her sister Vicky for nearly fifteen years, when it was a “K through 12” school that all nineteen of her sons, nieces and nephews attended. She made sure to tell the principal to let her know if any of the kids were causing any trouble (and, occasionally, he did). Fortunately, as their sons reached adulthood, Bessie and Tom were able to rehab their village home and spent many summers in Agios Nicholaos among friends and family members that had remained in Greece.

Bessie was a life-long, devout member of the Greek Orthodox Church. She and her family attended St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond since 1963. With the help of Theia Kay, they made sure that their sons attended Sunday school and Kyria Davlantes’ “Greek School” twice a week. Bessie and Tom served on the church board for a number of years. They especially enjoyed assisting their dear friend, the late Jim Greven, in running the bingo fundraising games, first on State Street and later on Calumet Avenue, every Saturday night for many years.

Having never found a restaurant she enjoyed even remotely as much as her own cooking, Bessie made dinner every night. She baked bread every weekend and, continuing well into her late seventies, she prepared a large meal nearly every Sunday for her family, even as it grew – indeed, because it grew – to include eight grandchildren. Sunday dinner at “Mom’s and Pop’s” was a special time for Bessie and her entire family. In between Sunday dinners, she was a huge fan of professional wrestling. She also regularly watched Cubs games on TV, although, quite curiously, she seemed to enjoy every Cubs mishap.

Bessie deeply mourned the passing of her dearly loved, kind and gentle husband, Tom, in March 2007. Several months before his passing, they joyously celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in the presence of many friends and the entire extended family.

Bessie Poulos was all about God, church and family. She did everything for her boys. She loved – and was loved by — her daughters-in-law. She cherished her grandchildren and her extended family. Hers is the classic immigrant story of hard-work and sacrifice to ensure a better future for her children. Bessie, a wife, Mom, Yia-Yia, sister, Theia and friend to all will be dearly missed. Her sons are thankful for the 96 years she lived on this earth, surrounded throughout by a large and loving family. May her memory be eternal.

Visitation will be on Friday September 29, 2023 from 4:00-8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave, Munster, IN. Funeral service will be held Saturday September 30, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 7021 Hohman Ave, Hammond, IN with Fr. David Bissias officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Hammond, IN.

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