Brevard County Obituaries July 15, 2012

Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY and after living many years in Lynbrook, Long Island, NY, she moved permanently to Brevard County in 1991,

During WWII, she was a member of the WAVES and served in the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington D.C. She worked as an executive secretary for 21 years at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, NY. She was an active member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and participated in many ministries. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors of Townhouse Estates in Indian Harbour Beach, the community where she lived. Pat also volunteered in the gift shop at Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Pat is survived by her son, Robert J Draeger, daughter-in-love, Donna, two grandchildren Danielle and Ryan, sister Shirle, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Calling hours will be from 4-6 pm on Sunday, July 15 at Beach Funeral Home, 1689 S Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach. A mass of christian burial will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community at 8:30 am on Monday, July 16. Interment will be at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY following a mass at St. Raymond’s Catholic Church, East Rockaway, NY.

Donations can be made to the Father Page Education Endowment Fund at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community, 3050 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903.

Anyone wishing to share a memory or send the family a message is asked to please visit Ethel’s guestbook at www.beachfuneralhome.com.

In high school Rea excelled in academics, music, and sports where she earned her varsity letter for the sport of volleyball. As a young adult she was an active member of her church choir and organized many of the choir social events.

After high school graduation, she studied at the Chicago Beauty School and received her certification as a beautician. She applied to the drafting department of the U.S. Government after the start of WWII where she worked as a draftsman at O’Hare Field. While working at her government job, she met and married Russel R. Kalessa USAF.

They travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia until retirement in 1970. They settled in Indialantic and joined others to establish the St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church on Wickham Road. Rea and Russ spent much of their time working with fellow parishioners to help the St. Katherine community grow and accomplish building improvements. Rea was active in the St. Katherine choir and served as the Choir Director receiving an award for 30 years of service. She was the recipient of the 2002 Archangel Michael Award for dedicated service to her church community. In 2006 she received the Service Award for Choirs and Musicians and in October of 2007 she received the Archbishop Iakovos Distinguished Service Award. She was honored for 25 years of service as an active member and past president of the St. Sophia Philoptohos Society.

Rea was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lt. Col. Russel R. Kalessa, brother Ted Hotes, and sister Georgia Laris. She is survived by sister Helen Jumes, sister Betty (Tom) Panouses, nephews and nieces, Renee Jumes, Chris Panouses, Hedy Panouses, Kurt (Tracy) Panouses, Judy (Dr. W. Charles) Kennedy and great nephews and nieces Tommy Panouses, Elena Panouses, Brigid (Chris) Smith, Carrie Kennedy, Charles (Julie)
Kennedy and Meghan (Jim) Malooly.

Visitation will be at Beach Funeral Home, 1689 S Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. with a Trisagion Service beginning at 8:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 5965 N Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL.

Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell FL.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund.

Arrangements by:
Beach Funeral Homes
4999 N. Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32940
Phone: 321- 751-6012
Fax: 321- 751-6014

She worked for the Brevard County school system for 23 years and was recognized as her school’s Employee of the Year twice. A determined woman, she came from humble beginnings to live her version of the American dream. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her loving husband of 40+ years, Donald F. Roberts, son Donald I. Roberts (Melody) of Smyrna, GA; son Dr. Miguel Roberts (Sushma) of Towson, MD; brothers Jaime (Managua), Oscar and Roger (both of Miami); sister Irene (Gretna); 3 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on July 21st at 2pm at Suntree United Methodist Church, Melbourne, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to the Univ. of Pennsylvania’s early detection Ovarian Cancer Research Center by either calling (215) 746-2213; online at penncancer.org/patients/giving; or by mailing to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Charles Gondos, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Anyone wishing to share a memory or send the family a message is asked to please visit Marcia’s guestbook at www.beachfuneralhome.com.