Maria H. Galouzis (aka Yiayia Maria & Psaltena * Chanter’s Wife)

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our cherished Maria H. Galouzis, age 98, of Crown Point, IN, on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, at Christian Village Nursing Home in Crown Point, IN. She departed this world peacefully. Born on December 1, 1925, in Kalymnos, Greece to the late George and Niki Tsouloufis. She was one of six children, five of whom preceded her death.

Maria married the late Haralambos Galouzis in 1943 and four children were born from this great love. She professed her life to Christ at an early age along with her husband after marriage. The family came to the United States from Kalymnos in 1960, and she became an active member of Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Her husband was the chanter, and she too chanted all the hymns of the church. She loved working in the church and cherished giving thanks to the lord. Maria was an active member of the Kalymnian and Philophtohos Society of which focused on philanthropy.

She did not know the English language, and with only a second-grade education she managed to have a successful life because she had faith and appreciation for the blessings she was given to offer a better life for her children.

She was a talented seamstress and used those talents in working in a men’s clothing factory for many years. She also wanted to make sure the Greek culture continued so she made so many beautiful ethnic Greek costumes for so many families. Maria loved being a grandmother and an honorary “Yiayia Maria” for many who didn’t have a grandparent and in turn would crochet blankets for all those families.

She was a very hardworking mother who raised four children at a young age without any family support. She had a love for the outdoors, gardening, and the beauty of light from the sun. She always wanted to feel the warm of God’s light. She had an amazing voice, which she loved to sing and chant church hymns and prayers. Her love for people and life was felt from the moment you met her.

Maria was a proud Greek Orthodox Christian. She was a very religious person who believed in the power of prayer. This faith that she had is what offered her the gift of seeing life in a way that was special. She believed that God created good people and that it was our task to continue to be a good person in this life by treating everyone with kindness and love. Maria loved praying for and with others, spending time with family, laughing and always wearing a smile on her face. She was a loving and caring person – a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, always thinking of others first. “To know her was to love her.”

Maria leaves to cherish her loving memory her children: Eleni (late Elefterios) Papadakis, Nike (Leo) Zairis, Tom (late Carol) Galouzis, and late George (Sandy) Galouzis; 9 grandchildren, 15 great- grandchildren and friends.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St. Merrillville, IN 46410 from 9am to 10am. Funeral Services will be held right after at 10am with Archbishop Nikitas Lulias of Thyateira and Great Britain, Fr. Ted Poteres, Fr. Dimitri Burikas and Fr. James Greanias officiating. Interment to follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, IN. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Maria may be given to: Nursing Home Facilities and Philanthropy Programs.