Diana Vlahos Markessinis

Diana Vlahos Markessinis

formerly of Lowell; wife, mother, businesswoman
MILLSBORO -- Diana Vlahos Markessinis, wife, mother, businesswoman, formerly of Wilmington, Delaware and Lowell, Massachusetts, died Saturday, May 1, 2011 at Renaissance Healthcare Center in Millsboro after a brief illness.

Mrs. Markessinis was born in 1911 in Sparta, Greece, the eldest daughter of John and Vasilike (née, Govostes) Vlahos, U.S. citizens and successful business owners in Lowell. She graduated in 1926 from Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, a school managed and staffed by the Belgian Sisters of Notre Dame. Until her marriage in 1939, she worked as accountant in the offices of John Vlahos Wholesalers & Distributors of Lowell, an inter-state business. She became a Departmental Manager with Strawbridge & Clothier of Wilmington in 1968, a position she enhanced for more than a decade. In addition to family and occupational life, she enjoyed many talents, among them accomplished musicianship and artistry. She was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington and formerly the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Lowell. Surviving are daughter Dr. Joan Lucas Markessini of Arlington, Virginia and granddaughter Diana Beatrice Markessinis of Santa Ana, California; a sister, Anastasia Chiungos, niece Victoria Anne Chiungos Yoakum and nephews John Steven Chiungos and Mark John Chiungos, all of Massachusetts; grand nephew Samuel Chiungos and grand nieces Tara and Rebecca Yoakum and Marina Chiungos, of Massachusetts. Diana's husband of more than 50 years, John Demetrios Markessinis, born in the Ionian Islands, and only son James John Markessinis preceded her in death in 1990 and 1995, respectively. She also had two brothers, Stratton and Nicholas, and four sisters, Helen, Beatrice, Electra, and Hope, all laid to rest with their families in Lowell and Marblehead, Massachusetts.

MARKESSINIS -- Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday May 4, 2011 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 Broom Street, Wilmington with Father Dean Nastos presiding. Friends may visit on Tuesday May 3 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington Delaware in the Markessinis family plot where Diana's husband and son rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities), Baltimore, Maryland or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Wilmington, Delaware.

For online condolences, please visit www.chandlerfuneralhome.com