Thalia P. Berka

SACO, Maine -- Thalia P. Berka, 97, of Saco died July 18, 2008, at Maine Medical Center, a day after her 97th birthday.

She was born in Malta, Greece, to James and Mary Papadoplos. She immigrated to the United States as a young child.

The family settled in Manchester, N.H., where Thalia attended school and graduated from Manchester Central High School and Hesser Business College. Upon graduation, she went to work for her brother at E. J. Papp Agency, an insurance and real estate company.

On May 5, 1962, she married Ulysses G. Berka and relocated to Saco. They ran a summer rental business at Camp Ellis for many years. Ulysses passed away in May of 1994.

She was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge. She took great pride in her home on Middle Street and enjoyed reading a good book in her backyard on a warm summer day.

IN HER LIFE: She will be greatly missed by her many nieces and nephews, including Susan A. Gillis, Elaine A. Bayer, Antigone Evangelou, Aristides Stathopolos, Demetrea Stathopolos, Anthony Stathopolos, Diana Little, Georgia Chekos, Eva Rodis, Mary Dadasis, Sophia Chiotelis, Diana Nye, James Papp, Leander Papp, Roxanne Papp, and her stepdaughter, Patricia Karamalis.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cote Funeral Home, corner of Beach and James streets, Saco. The funeral is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Burial will follow in St. Demetrios Cemetery, Biddeford.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley St., Saco, Maine 04072; or St. Demetrios Cemetery, P.O. Box 205, Biddeford, Maine 04005.