Thelma Kalaitzakis Daskalos, loving wife, mother, yiayia, aunt, and friend to all, passed away peacefully in her home, on February 5, 2024, surrounded by her family; she was 91.
Born in Gavalohori, Crete, Greece, on June 26, 1932, to Nikos and Maria (Nikakis) Kalaitzakis. She was raised in this small village until she met love of her life and married, John Daskalos, Jr. in 1955. They later moved to Price, Utah where she lived until 1999, then moved to Ogden, Utah. They were married for 57 years, always together holding hands everywhere they went. Together, they had three children, Marilyn, who passed only a few weeks old, John and Phyllis.
Thelma was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Philoptochos Society, Daughters of Penelope, Pan Cretan Ladies, and was known for her beautiful voice as she was a Church Cantor. Gifted, in knowing and chanting, in ancient Greek, and she looked forward all year long to be a Cantor at Easter. She greatly enjoyed her life in Price being of that generation, they gathered with friends every Saturday night, played cards and had dinner parties. Known for her Greek cooking and her pastries, no one ever came over without being fed. She was also known for being the life of the party, she loved to Greek dance and never missed the opportunity. If they had Greek music, she was there! She would plan a family trip “once-a-year” to Vegas, travel to Salt Lake on the weekends to go to the Athenian or Grecian Gardens. She would keep the Greek traditions alive by travelling to Greece and Crete several times to be with her mother, brothers, sisters, and their families.
This was all so important because she lived through WWII, as a young girl in the village in Crete. Fortunately, so many other women in Price, Utah were from Gavalohori. She immediately learned to speak, read, and write English.
Thelma is survived by her children, son, John and daughter, Phyllis (Craig) Visser; grandsons, Alexander (Ashlee) and William; granddaughter, Caitlin (Alexander) Govern; great-grandchildren, Porter Alexander, Hudson, and Piper; her sister-in-law, Phyllis Daskalos Marsing, who was the first person she met when she stepped off the train in Helper, Utah in 1955, have shared all the best in life together more as sisters; and many nephews and nieces both here and in Greece. She will be greatly missed and the candle of her light will always be there to guide us. May her memory be eternal.
ΑΙΩΝΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ Η ΠΟΛΥΤΙΜΗ ΜΝΗΜΗ
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Price, Utah.
Funeral service, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. Trisagion service, Friday, February 16, 2024, 7:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. The family will receive friends one hour prior to both of the services at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Thelma online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net