Martha Georgene Babalis

Wolfeboro, NH 

Martha Georgene Babalis (Georgie), 90, of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire passed away peacefully Saturday January 30, 2021.  She was born in Columbus, Ohio, March 27, 1930, daughter to Russell and Martha Shoemaker. She was the loving wife of 51 years to John Steven Babalis before his passing in 2003, and mother to their three children, Christine, Steven and Beth.  

Georgie had a magnetic and energetic personality that made instant friends of all those she met. She was active in her community both in Kettering, Ohio and later in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire where the family moved in 1981. She was a dynamic member of the ladies’ auxiliary to the Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio where she helped to organize and host their annual Greek Festival.

Once she moved to Wolfeboro, she served on multiple Huggins Hospital Street Fair committees before becoming co-chairman and then chairman of that event in 1982-83. In addition she was an active member of the local garden clubs and bridge clubs in both Kettering and Wolfeboro; became an avid golfer and member of Kingswood Golf Club, and was a long-standing member of the Newcomers Club. Georgie became a familiar face in the coin collecting community, greeting and registering bidders at auctions held by Bowers and Merena and American Numismatic Rarities, where her husband John was a well-known auctioneer. 

Georgie was blessed by having her three children and their families nearby. She was known as YiaYia to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, of whom she was extraordinarily proud. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Christine and Robert Karstedt, Steven R. and Sandra Babalis, and Beth and Steven Flagg; by her grandchildren: Melissa Kalled and Rob Karstedt, Steven J. and Alex Babalis, J.C. Freer and Micaela Flagg; and by her great grandchildren Colby and Charlie Karstedt, Ryder and Ty Babalis, and Henry Freer. 

She always had a little dog at her side and leaves behind her beloved Shih Tzu, Missy. She truly enjoyed people and was the life of the party whether as hostess or guest. She was an outstanding chef, savored a great bottle of wine, demanded a good Bacardi cocktail on the rocks, and could down a 5-pound lobster all by herself. She enjoyed travel with her family and friends and never went anywhere without her lipstick! Georgie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be forever missed by her family and friends. 

Georgie always had a cherished pup at her side – or, more accurately, on her lap – who brought her many years of joy.
Donations can be made in her name to: Lakes Region Humane Society, PO Box 655, Ossipee, NH 03864

A private family service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, February 13th at the Lord Funeral Home, Route 28, Wolfeboro, NH (603) 569-5511

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