Aspasia Mayorga 1925-2021

She was born Oct. 19, 1925, to parents Gus and Kiriakitsa Gerakatis Chengelis.

Aspasia, formerly of Coitsville, resided at Ironwood Assisted Living for the last three-and-a-half years. Aspasia was named after her grandmother. “Aspasia” is of Greek origin and means “welcome, invite, embrace,” a fitting name as she embraced all she met with her friendly personality, charm and wit.

Aspasia was always known as “Bessie,” never knowing where that name came from. She grew up on the South Side of Youngstown on Marion Avenue. She graduated from South High School in 1944.

Bessie started her working career at a variety of jobs: she was a crane hooker for Republic Steel, a riveter at McKenzie Muffler, employed by Petrakos Grill, Parks Sweet Shop, Sweetland Confectionery and the Gorant Candy Company. Bessie and her husband, Eddie, also operated Smileys Tavern from 1962 to 1974.

She took great pride in her flowers and canned grape jelly from her own grapevines and giving it to her friends and family. She mowed her three acres of grass until her early 90s.

Bessie was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Eddie, who passed away Aug. 11, 2014, after 67 years of marriage.

The last of her siblings, she was preceded in death by Philip; Sophie; twin sister Helen and John; and twin great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Dianna, who died shortly after birth.

Bessie will greatly be missed by her three children, Fred (Cindy) Mayorga of Canfield, Linda (Terry) Davids of Tempe, Ariz., and Edward (Kathleen) Mayorga of Wilmington, N.C. She also leaves six grandchildren, Brian Mayorga of North Lima, Jennifer (Michael) Nicholson of Salem, Aspasia (Sia) Mayorga of Wilmington, N.C., Stephanie (Danny) Barrus of Florida, Maria (Andrew) Pallotta of Nashville, Tenn. and Mark Mayorga of Raleigh, N.C; 11 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Alex and Lauren Mayorga, Michael, Ryan and Ellie Nicholson, Christian and Owen Barrus, and Sayed, Gabriel and Zoe Mayorga.

Private funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Memorial contributions in Bessie’s name may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 N. Walnut St. Youngstown, or Hospice of the Valley.

To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.vaschak-kirilafh.com.

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