Thelma Hondry Velys
Sept. 17, 1927-March 25, 2024
Thelma Hondry Velys passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024, in her home in Summerfield, Fla., where she had been lovingly cared for by her daughter, Stacey Moran, son-in-law, Walter Moran, and a team of wonderful caregivers for many years.
Thelma was born and raised in Wilmington, Del. She married Mike Velys in 1951 and moved to Patchogue, Long Island, where they lived for five years before moving to Aquebogue, Long Island, to raise their growing family. There they spent wonderful times enjoying the beaches, horses, boating, and many ball games with their four children.
Thelma and Mike loved to dance, and they would dress up often to go out dancing. They’d glide across ballroom floors, stomp across barn floors (or the parking lot behind Woolworth’s in Riverhead) square dancing, or lead the lines of dancers at the Greek Church in Blue Point. They hosted parties in their home in Aquebogue, even decorating it to resemble the Peppermint Lounge for a Chubby Checker Twist party! After Mike passed away in 1995, Thelma pursued line dancing, joining the ladies called Silver Steppers, who, donning matching outfits, would perform at various community events.
In 2014 Thelma moved to Florida to live with Stacey and Walter Moran. There she furthered her love of swimming until well in her 90s. Her stamina and big smile in the pool delighted onlookers and brought new friends. Sadly, due to her advancing age, she lost her ability to dance and swim in her final years.
Thelma was a beloved wife, mother and Yiayia. Her spirit lives on through her children Annie, Stacey and Michael; their spouses, Jerry Saba, Walter Moran and Cathy Velys; her daughter-in-law Sue Velys; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Kristina and Jim Adams, Michael, Lia and Rich Kulesa, and Tim and Kate; and six great-grandchildren.
We who loved Thelma will miss her but know she is dancing once more with her beloved husband, Mike, reuniting with her son Bill, her siblings Flo Green, John and Joan Hondry, her parents and the many friends who went before her. We know she will be smiling again.
You can honor Thelma’s memory by swimming a few extra laps, learning a dance or two, just smiling at someone or making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Dominion of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, 111 St. Andrews Road, Southampton. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
This is a paid notice.
