Gallia Gountis

Gallia fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

She was born on July 5 in Greece to the late Anastasios and Elleni Papa. She spent most of her childhood and early adulthood in Athens, where a lineage rich with Priests and Monastics imbued her with a deep and abiding Holy Orthodox Faith.

There, she mastered her craft, becoming a skilled seamstress. Her beautiful work was noteworthy in the community, found everywhere from the drapes and curtains adorning local windows to the finest wedding gowns and suits worn by local politicians.

As the youngest of seven siblings, Gallia was traditionally expected to care for her aging parents. In a profound act of love, her older sister, Demetra, joyfully assumed this role, freeing Gallia to marry her dear husband, Mathew.

In 1970, Gallia and Mathew immigrated to the United States to build a new life. Together, they raised three sons whom she loved fiercely and of whom she was immensely proud.  Though their lives were filled with struggles and wonderful challenges; this purification by fire only helped to further their resolve to sacrifice everything so their children could build a better life – which they did.

Gallia was a woman of immense life and vigor, known for her directness and clever wit in all her interactions. She possessed a giant heart and lived with large emotions; she strived to love thy neighbor, and when she loved you, you knew it without a doubt.

She possessed the greenest of thumbs, lovingly tending her flowers and vegetables. She could cook many a delightful meal for a small army and (in her younger days) could reportedly arm-wrestle most grown men—and even a small bear.

Gallia is survived by her sons, Angelo (Brenda), Bob (Laurie), and Spiro (Jennifer); her six granddaughters, Lia, Fiona, Inara, Anastasia, Demitria, and Helena; and many beloved family members and friends, both here and in Greece.  Glory to God in all things!

Visitation 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, with service at 11:30 AM, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2160 North Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Interment to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Gallia Gountis, please visit our Tribute Store.