Kay

Kathryn C. Vangalis, (Kay) 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Junction, Colo., with her three sons by her side.

Born in Long Beach, California, to Greek immigrants from the Peloponnese Peninsula, Kay lived life to its fullest with her beloved husband Constantine Peter Vangalis (Gus), who preceded her in death in 2017.

They raised their sons Pete, San Clemente, CA, children Kirk Ross, Amanda, Athena, Pete; Anthony (Tony,) wife Patricia, Vail, CO; and William (Bill,) wife Angie and children Alex, Athena (Nikki) and Gus, Dallas, TX.

Kay’s children and grandchildren brought her constant joy as she was the quintessential Greek mom, teaching them Greek and instilling a love for their heritage, ancestry, cooking, and customs. Kay and Gus were children of Greek immigrants who came to Long Beach, CA, and Chicago, IL, via Ellis Island in 1922 and 1932, respectively. Gus and Kay met at Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA, and were married in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Kay and Gus were constant fans at family baseball games and sailing days out of Dana Point Harbor. Kay was an accomplished seamstress, golfer, and cook with specialties in Greek recipes from the old country towns of their heritage-Giva and Tripoli, Greece, which they visited in 2008.

When Gus passed, Kay moved to the Vineyard community in Grand Junction, CO – a state they loved to visit each summer from their home in Las Vegas, NV. Prior, they had lived in Long Beach, Oakhurst, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Nigel, CA. Gus was a captain in the U.S. Army with stations in southern California and Alaska, and Kay accompanied him everywhere but for Alaska when she stayed in California to raise the boys.

In the past few years, Kay grew to love her neighbors in the Vineyard, where she had deep friendships and companionship.

Besides her three sons, Kay leaves behind her beloved dog Bella.

The Vangalis family sends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers, nurses, and Hope West Hospice of Grand Junction staff, whose care and professionalism were exceptional.