LOWELL - Frances L. (Gardner) Stamas, 81, a resident of Lowell, died Wednesday January 3rd at Saints Medical Center in Lowell. She was the beloved wife of John G. Stamas with whom she would have celebrated her 59th wedding anniversary on January 18th.
She was born in Tracy, CA on March 12, 1925, and was a daughter of the late Harry and Sadie (Connolly) Gardner. She was a graduate of Stockton High School in Stockton, CA.
Mrs. Stamas served her country in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II.
She was employed for many years as a sales clerk by the former Stuart's Department Store in Lowell.
In her free time she enjoyed shopping, traveling, going to the beach, gardening, and spending time with her dogs.
She was an active member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Dracut and was also a member of the Philoptochos Society.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son George Stamas and his wife Diana Kyricos; a daughter Deborah A. Ryan and her husband Bill, all of Lowell; three grandchildren Nicholas Ryan, Kathleen Ryan, and Marianne Ryan, all of Lowell; a brother-in-law Costas Stamatoyanakis of Lowell, a close friend Virginia "Sister" Souliotis of Dracut; and many nieces and nephews. She was Godmother to Byron J. Themelis of Salisbury, MA.
She was also the sister of the late Perry Gardner and Stanley Gardner, and the sister-in-law of the late Anne and Charles Manuel, and the late Effie Stamatoyanakis.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Friday from 6 until 9pm. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Saturday at 10am followed by her Funeral Service at 11am at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Dracut. Burial in Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Cancer Center Spindle Fund, 2 Hospital Dr., Lowell, MA 01852 or to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Rebuilding Fund, 1160 Mammoth Rd., Dracut, MA 01826.