Kaliopi (Gero) Demma

 Kaliopi Gero Demma of 40 Ellsworth street Worcester Ma.  previously of Southbridge Ma. and Fier, Albania, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on Sunday morning in the arms of her youngest son Samuel her caregiver. Her name having been written in the Book of Life, she now resides in the kingdom of heaven with loved ones who have passed over before her. A bride at fifteen, a loving mother to her first-born son Michael and loyal wife to her honorable and dedicated husband Christo at sixteen, this trinity of strangers brought together through a “matched” marriage and held together by dedicating their lives to God, family, and their church St. Michaels, in Southbridge, where Christo was a founder, first president and chanter was the essence of who they were.   Kaliopi was born to Sotir, and Katerina Gero in Fier, Albania.   The first born of the six Gero daughters and one son, Kaliopi quickly became her mom’s “right hand man” learning to do everything from cooking, to dress making, lifting ladders to make roof repairs, disciplining her siblings and whitewashing their humble home. At the same time, Kaliopi excelled in the classroom and by the end of elementary school she had risen to the top of her class. However, despite the protestations and appeals of her longtime instructor and mentor, her high school education would see no light. Kaliopi’s valuable assets were needed at home.   It was during Kaliopi’s first pregnancy, 1938-39, that the news of Katerina’s death in Fier, flashed crossed the Atlantic like a lightening bolt.  Katerina had succumbed to what was believed to be a “broken heart” from the daily drenching of her self in tears over the “loss” of her “right hand man” until her heart burst.  The tragic news was kept secret from Kaliopi until Michael was born.  It hit her like a thunderous crashing wave with a never-ending undertow that was oft repeated during her retelling of the events for the rest of her life. Due to political circumstances in her homeland she was unable to go to her family. Kaliopi mourned from a distance.   The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Michael her son, was truly a Godsend. Kaliopi could refocus her talents and skills while nurturing this new life and Christa, as she affectionately called her husband, was ever the Sheppard keeping the pastures green.  Still, it was decided to send Kaliopi to convalesce with relatives in Tennessee. She welcomed the prospect and took Michael with her.  The days past pleasantly and upon her return life resumed. A few short years later Kaliopi and Christo welcomed what was to be their only daughter Joanne into their lives. Now with both Michael and Joanne life was good. In 1948 Christa completed his 29 career at American Optical in Southbridge, bought a business in Worcester, and he and Kaliopi moved the family there to be close to Christa’s work. In September of that same year they were blessed with the birth of another son and named him Arthur and 18 months later their youngest son Samuel was born. Kaliopi raised her family with ferocity for right thinking and right living with a dash of corporal punishment whenever necessary, and of course with her unconditional love at all times. She made sure all of her children’s shoes were polished and lined up in a row shining like a mirror on Sunday mornings ready for church, at St. Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church on 14 Hammond Street in Worcester and made sure we wore our “Sunday best” for the Lord. Through the years she never forgot about her family in Albania, and they never forgot what she did for them. Kaliopi sent large trunk loads of clothes and other necessaries two or three times a year, every year. She stuffed them full until we had to sit on the lids to help close them and then tie them with ropes so they wouldn’t burst open during the trip overseas. Kaliopi wasn’t shy about working outside of the home. In fact she was among the very first women from her community in Southbridge to help the war effort (WWII) by working briefly part time at American Optical. In later years, when Christa had serious health challenges, she cared for him for seven years, and after being widowed, her skills as a seamstress, that were fostered by her father who was a tailor by trade, were put to good use in several Worcester companies that manufactured women’s clothing for markets in Boston and New York City. She often found better and faster ways to get the job done. With what little time she had for social endeavors she did treasure her membership at the Worcester Art Museum, where she took art lessons and made new friends. Some of her artwork can still be found hanging on the walls of her children’s homes. She also enjoyed being part of the Ladies Society of St. Mary’s Albanian Orthodox church in Worcester where bus trips to Nantasket Beach and Paragon Park with her children were a blast. As the decades rolled on she welcomed grand children, great grand children, and soon to be a great, great, grandchild. Kaliopi’s son Michael and her husband Christo passed on before her. As did her sisters Sofia, Naunka, Liria, and Llambrinia. She leaves her daughter Joanne Prizio of Boylston, her son Arthur Demma and his wife Marie of Worcester, and her son Samuel who lived with her.  Also, her grandchildren, Angela (Prizio) Demake and her husband George, Christina (Prizio) Thoren and her husband Steve, Maria (Prizio) Blanchard and her husband Christopher, Dina (Prizio) Salerno and her husband Rob, Frank Prizio III and his partner Kalli Petka.  Also, Christopher Demma and his wife Kim of Worcester, Mathew Demma and his wife Melissa of Connecticut, and Michael Demma and his wife Heather of Holden,  Zachary Demma of Worcester, and Luke Demma of Haverhill, Ma.    Kaliopi also, leaves 13 great grandchildren, Michael, Alexis, Alex, Sarah, Nicholas, John David, Rose, Robert Daniel, Christian T and Christian P, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Jace; and her loving nephew, Sandri Mitrushi and his family of Worecster. Kaliopi is free at last, free at last; thank God almighty free at last! Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Wednesday, August 31st 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on Thursday morning, Sept 1st from 9:00 am to 10:00 am in St Nicholas Orthodox Church, 34 Gold Street Shrewsbury.  Her funeral liturgy will follow at 10:00 am; the Very Reverend Father Nicholas Apostola will officiate.  Burial next to her husband Christo will be in Hope Cemetery.  Reverend Apostola will conduct a trisagion service Wednesday night during calling hours.  In lieu of flowers remembrances in her name can be made to the St Nicholas Orthodox church building fund, 34 Gold Street Shrewsbury, Ma 01545.  The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to assist the family with arrangements.    The family would like to thank Notre Dame Hospice, and the Carol Seager Agency for their support.