Diana Belales

HOLYOKE- Diana (Andricopulos) Belales, 91, passed away at Holyoke Medical Center on Thursday, September 12, 2013 after a brief illness. She was born in Kalavrita, Greece on May 15, 1922, the youngest of eight children to the late Demetrios and Constantina (Stathopoulos) Andricopoulos. Diana was educated in Greece, came to the U.S. in 1947 and settled in Holyoke where she has resided since. Diana married George Belales on March 7, 1948 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the couple celebrated and enjoyed over 65 years of marriage. She was a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and enjoyed cooking and baking, especially baklava. Diana spent many hours crocheting, gardening and taking family vacations to Hampton Beach and Falmouth on Cape Cod. She loved spending time with family and friends, traveling to Disney World in 1994 while in her 70’s, but was always happiest spending time with her family. In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by her daughter, Victoria Belales Verdi and her husband Dennis of Holyoke; her granddaughter, Diane Verdi and her fiancé John Lukomski Jr. of Holyoke. Diana will be missed dearly by her family both here and in Greece and will be remembered by her extended family including her brother in-law Nicholas Belales of Holyoke and sister in-law Kiki Andricopulos of Greece; her nephew, Theodore Belales and his wife Angela of Southington, CT; her nieces, Marguerita Belales Papageorge and her husband Savas of Southington, CT; Christina Speropoulos Reardon and her husband Raymond of Holyoke; four great nieces, Katerina and Nicoletta Belales as well as Evyenia and Vasoula Papageorge all of Southington, CT. She was predeceased by her seven siblings and two sisters-in-law, Eugenia Belales and Mary Belales Constantelos both of Holyoke, who now welcome her with loving arms. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 3-6PM at Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Her funeral will begin on Monday at 9:30AM from the funeral home and be followed by the service at 11AM in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 410 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040. The burial will follow in Forestdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Diana’s name can be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com for more details.