Helene M. Giftos
1921 - 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Helene Marie (Comas) Giftos, 94

SCARBOROUGH - Helene Marie (Comas) Giftos, passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2015, with her loved ones by her side. Helene, the daughter of Mary and Peter Comas, was born in Haverhill, Mass. on Feb. 2, 1921. After growing up in Newburyport, Mass., the family moved to greater Portland and became an integral part of the local Greek community and members of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

Helene graduated from South Portland High School in 1938. She married her late husband, Sarando, on May 9, 1941. They resided in Cape Elizabeth, and Sarasota, Fla. When her children were grown, Helene returned to college at the University of Maine, where she earned her degree in English Literature.

Together, Helene and Sarando enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage, with a large loving extended family and many friends. They enjoyed extensive travel throughout the world including many memorable visits to their ancestral Greece. She read and wrote Greek fluently, loved playing bridge, reading, and she enthusiastically and tirelessly celebrated her wonderful Greek cooking with family and friends. Helene was devoted to her grandchildren, especially, and helped care for them as newborns and over the years. Helene's home and heart always welcomed family and friends. Her radiant smile, boundless optimism, and enthusiasm for life left all with memories that will not be forgotten.

Helene enjoyed her later years at Piper Shores in Scarborough, across the street from her loving daughter Mary, her special son-in-law Bob, and her grandsons Aaron and Curtis.

Helene was predeceased by her husband, Sarando P. Giftos; and daughter Barbara Florence Giftos. She is survived by her sister, Emilie Cherry of Gibsonia, Pa.; her three children, Mary C. Dulac of Scarborough, Michael Giftos of Ponte Vedra, Fla., and Helene Grossman of New York, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Helene's family would like to thank the Piper Shores and its Holbrook community for their wonderful and compassionate care these past eight years. As Helene always said, "They do everything right."
Visiting hours are 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to:
The Holy Trinity, Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant Street, Portland, Maine 04102