May Magdaline (Perdikas) Petimezas

May (Magdaline) Perdikas Petimezas, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord at her home in Johnstown, PA, on January, 2, 2020. Her last days were spent surrounded by her loving family and dearest friends. 

May was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on April 20, 1919. After her mother’s death, her father sent her to Jackson, Mississippi, to be reared by her godparents, Magdaline and Cris Liberis. May clearly recalled that as an eight-year-old she made the long, unaccompanied train trip to Jackson in 1927 with merely a suitcase in hand and a destination tag pinned to her coat. She would comment that it was what people did back then. In Jackson May was quickly embraced by her cousins Tisha, Jimmie, and Fotina Angelo, as well as extended family that included numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She shared many cherished childhood memories with all. Still, she grew especially close to her beloved cousin Jimmie, and their relationship remained close throughout their lives. In Jackson May attended Forest Hill High School until she withdrew to nurse her ailing godmother. She later worked with relatives at The Jackson Café until she married her loving husband George B. Petimezas in 1946. The couple moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to work side by side at their restaurant, The Majestic Confectionery. May and George were blessed with two sons, Basil and Dennis. In the interim this busy wife and mother found time to become an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where she was the first woman elected to the Parish Council, was an active member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Daughters of Penelope, and taught Sunday Church School for many years. Later, May worked for several decades at the State Capital as an employee for the State of Arkansas. After retirement she devoted the next twenty years of her time, talent, and treasures to her church by working on philanthropic and fundraising projects. Her volunteer efforts exemplified the true meaning of stewardship for the church that she loved. In 2002 she moved to Johnstown to be close to her sons.

One of her most treasured recent memories occurred last April when family and friends gathered in Johnstown for her 100th birthday. Indeed, the event celebrated a remarkable life of a woman who blessed this earth and those who knew her.

May is preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years George B. Petimezas; her parents, Sophia and Demetrius Perdikas; and siblings Mary Perdikas, Ester Citharel, George Perdikas, and  Jimmy Perdikas. She is survived by her two sons Basil Petimezas and wife Jamie and Dennis Petimezas and wife Dee Dee and their children Evan and Lindsey of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; her beloved goddaughter Angela Maria Angelo of Jackson, Mississippi; Dennis’ beloved godmother Lambryne Angelo of Jackson, Mississippi; numerous nieces and nephews from Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Texas; and her devoted companion dog Koukla. The family sincerely thanks the staff of AseraCare Hospice, particularly Mary Jo, for their incredible services throughout the past months and the extraordinary caregivers Andrea, Bethany, Bridget, Courtney, Danielle, Elaine, Gloria, Lee Ann, Tammy, Tina, and Wendy, as well as Suzie Garvey, RN and the nurses from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for their devotion, compassion, and support.

Private services for family members will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Johnstown.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, contributions may be made to “May Petimezas-Suzie Garvey Clinic,” C/O InFirst Bank, 1420 Scalp Avenue, Johnstown PA 15904, which is being established in her memory in war-torn Sudan through ShadowsofHope.org. The clinic will serve injured women, children, and soldiers in that region and will directly provide funds for medical equipment, supplies, and personnel training.

Frank Duca Funeral Home and Crematory, 404 Walters Avenue, is honored to serve the family of May Petimezas.

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