Maria Gatski

Maria Gatski, born on June 17, 1933, in Sparta, Greece, to Stamatina and Panayiotis Drakos, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family when God called her home. She was cherished as the youngest and only daughter among four children, with three older brothers: Dimitri, Stavros, and Spiro.

Maria's early years were spent in Sparta until her family relocated to Athens, Greece. In 1950, she welcomed her beloved daughter, Katerina. A few years later, Maria met the love of her life, Edward Gatski, a military man stationed at the Hellenic Air Force base in Athens. They fell deeply in love and married on April 30, 1955. Their union was blessed with their first son, Frank, born in Athens, Greece.

During Edward's deployment in the Vietnam War, Maria demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience, raising their two children on her own in Athens. Upon Edward's return, their family grew with the birth of their second son, George.

In pursuit of new opportunities, Maria and her family emigrated to the United States. They settled in the vibrant Greek community of Tarpon Springs, FL, in 1975. Two years later, they moved to Las Vegas, NV, where Edward was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Maria found her place in the bustling city, working at Caesar's Palace for many years, hosting celebrity high rollers.

Maria's greatest joy was her family. She unfortunately endured one of the worst pains in life, the hardship of losing her daughter in 2014. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Christos, born in 1979; McKenna, born in 1995; Grant, born in 1998; and Nikolas, born in 2003. Her family and the Greek Orthodox Church were the cornerstones of her life, and she dedicated herself to both with unwavering love and devotion. Maria enriched our lives with her Greek heritage and stories, sharing the beauty and traditions of her homeland with all who knew her. She loved to cook for her family.

She is survived by her son, Frank Gatski, and her son and daughter-in-law, George and Kristine Gatski, her Grandsons Christos, Grant, and Nikolas, and her Granddaughter, McKenna, and four great-grandchildren.

Maria's legacy of love, strength, and faith will forever be cherished by her family and all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and an unyielding spirit that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.

May her memory be eternal.

The Funeral Services are scheduled to begin at 9am for the Viewing, to be followed by the Church Service at 9:30 am on Monday, May 19th, 2025 at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 El Camino Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89118. Graveside Burial Service will follow at 11am Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.