Gail Malliaros-Golec

1952 - 2023

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt;

Lowell

Gail Malliaros-Golec, 71, of Pelham, New Hampshire and former longtime resident of Dracut, MA passed away unexpectedly on Monday June 5, 2023, at Lowell General Hospital.

She was the beloved wife for 32 years of Henry E. "Hank" Golec, who survives her.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 6, 1952, the daughter of the late Aristomenis G. and the late Saphho "Sally" (Pelekasis) Malliaros, she attended Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School Class of 1969 where she also played field hockey.

She went on to attend Endicott College in Beverly where she received her associate degree. After graduating from Endicott College in 1971, she played tennis at Vesper Country Club and skied at Loon and Waterville Valley.

Prior to her retirement, Gail was a Director for the Office of Employment and Training for the City of Lowell. In addition, she was a licensed Real Estate Agent with Dick Lepine Real Estate for many years.

To Gail, life was one endless conversation; she loved to talk. She welcomed any opportunity to throw a party, and anyone lucky enough to have been a guest raved about her spanakopita, avgolemono soup, and chocolate chip cookies, all of which she was famous for.

From the time she was little, she was schooled by her mother, Sally, in the art of shopping. Weekly shopping trips were made near and far, earning her a black belt in style by the time she was an adult. Gail amassed an impressive assortment of exotic bags and shoes only a true expert could do.

As a youngster, she took dance lessons at the Naomi Studio in Downtown Lowell. Her annual recital thrilled most of her family, except for her younger brother, George. Gail also modeled every year as part of Malliaros Clothing, her family's celebrated clothier.

Gail was formerly married to Peter Richardson and together they had a son, Joshua. Her favorite role was being a mother. When Joshua was growing up, she never missed his pop warner or varsity football games. She continued the tradition when she later married Hank Golec, who coached the Dracut High School baseball team for 30 years; Gail seldom skipped a baseball game. Her love for motherhood carried over into her role as the quintessential fun aunt.

She was active in Dracut politics for many years and enjoyed holding signs, sending dear friends' cards, making phone calls, and urging her candidates to mingle at political parties. She loved the beach and vacationed extensively in Barbados, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Nantucket, and Greece. Growing up, she loved visiting her grandparents and cousins, Stacey and Victor, in New York, and her Aunt Demi, Uncle George, and cousin Leah in California.

For the past 16 years, Gail's most meaningful job was being a Yiayia to her grandson, Sergio. She shared her love of Seabrook Beach with him, his father, and his mother, Nicole, who she adored. She loved to collect seashells and sea glass to adorn one-of-a-kind objects for her loved ones. Her profound love of animals and passion for gardening is everlasting.

Besides her husband Hank, Gail is survived by her son Joshua Lee Richardson and his wife Nicole of Malden; her grandson Sergio David Richardson of Malden; two brothers George A. Malliaros and his wife Iris of Dracut and Victor A. Malliaros of Pepperell; three nieces Frances Cesar, Leah Malliaros and Zoe Malliaros; a nephew Aristomenis G. Malliaros; several grand nieces and nephews; and her former husband Peter H. Richardson of Dracut.

Gail's lively presence and zest for life will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Friends may call at the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in Lowell on Friday June 9, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held at the TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way in Lowell on Saturday morning at 10:00 A.M. (Please meet at church). Burial to follow at Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O'Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.



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