Penelope G. Basel

She was born in Pawcatuck, Connecticut on August 29, 1927 to the late Peter and Maria (Boulas) Giatrelis. Her father owned a Greek restaurant with his brother John, just over the border, in Westerly, Rhode Island. Penny moved with her family to New Haven, then Hamden Connecticut when she was a young girl and attended Hillhouse High School. She then attended Larson Junior College for a secretarial degree with a medical specialty.

Penny began work as a secretary and office assistant for Dr. Arthur Yudkin eye specialist in New Haven. She married Louis Basel in New Haven and they moved to Tennessee where both worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She excelled at handling the most difficult technical report tasks. Next, they moved to Pennsylvania for Lou's new job and to start a family where their sons John and Peter were born. Penny and Lou finally moved to Stamford, Connecticut where they were long time residents. Penny volunteered in the Aid for Retarded Head Start program for preschoolers when her own children were in school and she had some free time. They were long time members of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels in Stamford.

Anyone who knew Penny, knew that she was all about love. Her love for her family knew no bounds and she also loved friends, even strangers, and the children in the Head Start program as if they were her own. Penny enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and keeping her home in tip-top shape. She loved music and was a huge fan of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli, and many others including traditional Greek music.

Penelope was predeceased by her husband Louis Basel, brother Nicholas Giatrelis of Hamden Connecticut and her sisters-in-law Elizabeth Giamalis of Glastonbury and Sophia Caloutas of Stamford Connecticut. She is survived by her sons Peter of Trumbull, Connecticut, John and his wife Ki of Melvin Village, New Hampshire, her grandchildren Louis and his wife Stephanie of Berkeley California, Paul, and Peter Jr. and great-grandchildren Walden and Remy. She is also survived by many loving cousins, friends, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Racebrook Rd., Orange, Connecticut Wednesday June 12 at 10 AM with the funeral service to follow at 11 AM with interment at Beaverdale Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church in lieu of flowers.