Helen Gankas

She graduated from Haverhill High School, also graduated from Haverhill College for Teachers in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1940 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Education and Sciences; she then did her graduate work toward a Master’s Degree.

Helen married Gus F. Gankas (Duke) in 1942; taught in Chicago and Denver, Colorado for 25 years, took an ”early” retirement from Colorado and moved to California to be with her son, Frank Gankas.

She substituted for Hueneme and Oxnard School Districts, and then taught at private schools, St. Anthony’s and Santa Clara Elementary. Helen was an assistant teacher and substitute teacher for St. Anthony’s for 21 years.

She was a member of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Ladies Philoptochos Society and Daughters of Penelope. She was Past District Governor and Treasurer of the Daughters of Penelopes-Silver District #17 in 1962-1964 and 1967-1968.

Helen is the mother of Frank C. Gankas, mother-in-law of Nikki Gankas, grandmother of Chris, George and Stephanie Gankas and great-grandmother of Troy Berg and Logan Christopher Gankas, all of Ventura County, aunt of Jim Pardikes of Denver, Colorado and Stacy Wooden of Houston, Texas. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, “Duke” and sister Fotini Mansour of Chicago, Illinois.

Helen was known to her family as YiaYia. She loved to entertain her family and friends while cooking authentic Greek food, with her favorite beverage Seven and Seven. Her traditions will forever live on and may her memory be eternal.

We will always treasure the love you gave the family and those you held close to your heart. Your part in our family is irreplaceable and never forgotten. We love you and miss you.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 5-7 p.m. with a Trisagion Service beginning 7 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Skyway Drive, Camarillo. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 4, 11 a.m. also at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church directly followed by a graveside service at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura. All are invited to join the family afterward at The Greek at the Harbor for the Makaria or Meal of Blessedness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Skyway Drive, Camarillo, California 93010.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura.