Maria J. (Moutsopoulou) Gartaganis, 103, of New Bedford passed away Saturday January 27, 2007 at home after a brief illness. She was the devoted wife and widow of John A. Gartaganis. She is survived by her son, Arthur J. Gartaganis of New Bedford and by her daughter, Christina G. Gargas, and son-in-law, Peter T. Gargas, of New Bedford and Athens, Greece.
Born in the province of Arcadia, Greece, she left her family as a young woman to meet her husband in Paris , then the world's fashion center. They were married in the "City of Light" whose cosmopolitanism unforgettably impressed her. They returned to New Bedford which became her permanent residence.
Although a dedicated mother, she found time to become involved in the various activities of the local Greek Community. She was a past president and last surviving charter member of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society organized in 1931 and handmaiden to the Greek Orthodox Church in New Bedford. She was very active in the Greek War Relief Association during the years prior to and during the Second World War, and briefly in the Red Cross and Community Fund drives.
As her family responsiblities waned, Mrs. Gartaganis participated actively in her husband's seasonal business on Cape Cod and, off-season, with her husband traveled frequently to Washington, D.C, Florida, and to Greece, which during their retirement became for extended periods their home away from home.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM in St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 3-5 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, 87 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02746. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.