Louise M. Gatanas passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 31st, 2026, at age 87, in her home in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Born and raised in Astoria, New York, to Greek immigrant parents Nicholas and Anastasia Cotsonas, originally from Siatista, Greece, Louise was a highly talented, recognized, and celebrated artist.
Her artistic journey began with Chinese calligraphy and floral painting, followed by studies in Asian painting and Chinese art history at the China Institute in New York City. She later turned to stone carving, exhibiting throughout New York City, New Jersey, and the Hamptons, while studying marble carving at Columbia University under renowned Japanese sculptor Niizuma. Louise continued her work in Carrara, Italy, among the workshops of Michelangelo’s famed quarries, wielding powerful pneumatic drills in her signature dusty white coveralls.
Her award-winning sculptures became part of corporate and private collections throughout the United States and Canada. She later embraced gouache, creating works that blended her love of calligraphy, floral forms, and abstract landscapes.
More recently, Louise’s work was exhibited at the Greek Embassy in Washington, D.C. Five years ago, she was named Best Artist of Greece by the Greek Writers, Artists and Sculptors Association of Greece. You can view her artwork here: https://louisegatanas.com/.
Alongside her bold creativity, Louise was known for her vibrant personality, elegant beauty, and generous spirit. She was larger than life and a star in everyone’s orbit. An extraordinary mother, devoted wife, and the heart and life force of her family, Louise loved fiercely, gave generously, and brought an unmistakable energy to everyone around her. She had a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Louise had a fine eye for interior design and table settings, and relished holding court, serving cocktails, and unapologetically collecting hearts.
We were incredibly blessed and grateful to have Louise in our lives. Her love, laughter, strength, and infectious zest for life leaves an immeasurable imprint on all who knew her. While she will be deeply missed, the gift of having her in our lives is something we will carry with us forever.
Louise is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Ret. Colonel Mark Gatanas, whom she first knew at William Cullen Bryant High School in Astoria; her three children, Andréa Demirjian (New York, NY), Gregory Demirjian (Nassau, The Bahamas), and Alexis Demirjian (Los Angeles, CA); and her sister, Bess Michaels (Montclair, NJ). Her brother, Michael Cotsonas (Charleston, SC), predeceased her.
A funeral service will be held at Saint Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, with burial to follow at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
