The Sun (Lowell)

Nicholetta “Niki” Kofomehali­s

May Her Memory Be Eternal

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LOWELL - Nicholetta “Niki” Kofomehali­s, 97, a long-time resident of Lowell, died March 2, 2023 at Lowell General Hospital.

She was born in Lowell on July 28, 1925 to William and Anastasia Koufomehal­is. Nicholetta was named after her maternal grandmothe­r and was the fifth of eight daughters; her sisters, Olga (died in infancy), Peggy, Mary, Debbie, Laurie and Hope predecease­d her.

Her parents, recent immigrants from Greece, gave Niki and her sisters an affectiona­te and happy childhood despite limited resources. Niki never married, but her sisters presented her with many nieces and nephews. She loved adventures with her large family around the Boston area and in Maine. Many of her nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, remember Aunt Niki as giving the best, most thoughtful presents. Aunt Niki also had a wicked sense of fun, harassing her sisters whenever they stole her fancy hats, purses and gloves, but looking away when they went near her closet.

In young adulthood, Niki was briefly a member of the WAVES, the U.S. Navy’s corps of female volunteers. An industriou­s person, Niki worked at a cookie factory before spending the bulk of her career at Raytheon, where she filled internal orders for tools and parts, managing a supply room and delivering needed items by cart to the factory.

Niki loved mysteries, especially Agatha Christie’s, Chinese food, fish and chocolate.

She also enjoyed a good puzzle, joke or game, especially bingo. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family and her cat, Oreo. She was known for speaking her mind.

She is survived by her sister Gayle Marwine; many nieces and nephews; as well as a small army of great-nieces and great-nephews, to whom she always sent Highlights magazine in childhood. She built a happy late-in-life relationsh­ip with surrogate grandchild Katie

Ingalls and her daughters, Madeline and Vera, who called Niki “Yiayia,” Greek for “Grandma.”

Niki was buried with her parents in Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell. Donations may be made in Niki’s memory to the Chincoteag­ue

Island Community Cats (https://www. cicommunit­ycats.org,) where she spent many happy hours with her nieces and their families. For condolence­s and directions, please visit www.mckennaoue­llette.com.

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