of Little Rock, AR
May 19, 1930 - January 24, 2024
Teresia Helen Cotanis
I was born in Cluj, Romania to my parents Filaret Gvozdinschii and Elena Sipos. I have two children (Nicholas and Mihaela), three grandsons (Filip, John and Mihai) and two great-grandsons (Andrew and Jonah). I lived a long, full life dedicated to being a good mother, grandmother, wife and friend. I met my husband (Papu) while working as an accountant at a local bank in Constanta, Romania and we shared 37 wonderful years together. Later, I met Peter, with whom I shared a beautiful friendship of 18 years. Over the last 12 years I lived with my daughter in Little Rock.
My life was never boring. I loved to see the good in people and make them laugh, occasionally even laughing at myself. When organizing parties I always baked the desserts first. I loved sewing and decorating. I travelled - some of my fondest memories being in Venice, where I ate delicious ice cream, and in Germany, where I visited my childhood friends. I even discovered I had a passion for needlepointing.
I was so happy when I met my great-grandson Jonah for the first time this last Christmas. With that, I felt my life was complete.
So, farewell for now, our relationship will live on in the beauty of our happy memories.
Funeral service will be 11:00am Monday, January 29, 2024 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 1100 Napa Valley Drive Little Rock, AR Visitation will be 4:00pm until 6:00pm Monday, January 29, 2024 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 I30, Little Rock, Arkansas.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 15012248300.
Sign Guestbook
12 Condolence(s)
Charles Napolitano & Maria Castro
Monday, January 29, 2024
Mihaela:
Cahrlie and I are sorry to hear about your mom. We know how much she meant to you and your family. WE also know that she lives on in the fond memories you have of her; your love of travel & adventure; and in the personalities of your children and her grandchildren. We send our condolences to you and your family.
Love,
Maria and Charlie
Christina Myers
Monday, January 29, 2024
Even though I couldn’t communicate with you in your native tongue, I always felt the warmth of your character and saw the kindness in your eyes.
May your memory be eternal!
Vickie Getty
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Deepest sympathy Dr. Coman, to you and all your family, for the loss of your beautiful Mother.
Monica Petre
Saturday, January 27, 2024
"Aunt Tereza", as we always called you, you were a very dear person to me and my family. Because I lost both my parents when I wasn't even 35 years old, Uncle Petrica (whom you were with as your best friend for the last 18 years of his life) was like a second father to me. So, when me and you met again in 1991, I loved you from the beginning, and the love was mutual. I said "We met again", because you knew my parents from the years of your youth, because my father worked together with you and your husband, Mr. Cotanis, at the National Bank of Romania, and you knew me from my childhood, from the Christmas celebrations organized at the Bank. I've also taken piano lessons, with same teather, together with your daughter, Mihaela, with who we have been also collegues at the Hugh School in Constana. Many times you called me "my little girl from Romania", which I liked very much. I really liked your humor, of the best quality, which also greatly cheered my uncle Petrica. You were a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, a perfect homemaker (your desserts are still remembered in my family!), a beautiful, elegant, pedantic woman. We now say goodbye to you, Aunt Teresa, and we ask God to forgive you, to deliver you, to rest you in peace and to place your soul in His Kingdom. Smooth way to Heaven! Our thoughts and deepest condolences went to Mihaela, Nicu, Irina, Mihai, Ionu, and Filip, with their familie too. Doina, Nicu, Alexandra and Drago
ANGELA PANAIT
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Drum bun draga TENA !
Dumnezeu sa-ti poarte sufletul in pace acum si mereu.
Trecerea catre mai departe este singura certitudine...pentru tine este o linistire...pentru cei dragi tie care raman aici este grea!
Familia PANAIT
Paula Grigorian
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Draga Mihaela, ne pare tare rau ca Tena nu mai este cu noi. A fost aa o draguta, tot timpul zâmbitoare si primitoare, o placere sa stai cu ea. A avut o viaa frumoasa i tu ai facut-o i mai împlinita mai ales cu copiii i cu Jonah care a reuit sa se bucure de Tena pentru puin timp înainte ca ea sa ne paraseasca. Este greu sa ne desparim de ea acum. Noi toi suntem alaturi de tine în aceste momente dificile. Paula, Florin, David, Veronica i Bunu Dumitru.
Anne Newell
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Micheala, I'm thankful to read about your beautiful mom and the life she lived. You have been a devoted daughter to watch over and love her closely these last 12 years. I know you will miss her.
Vern Williams
Friday, January 26, 2024
Sorry for your loss. She led a rich and fulfilling life. God Bless
Luminita Dobrescu
Friday, January 26, 2024
Sincere condoleane draga Mihaela!
Dumnezeu s-o odihneasca la loc cu verdeaa i racoare!
Am fost profund i frumos impresionata de necrologul care a prezentat aspecte, realizari si momente alaturi de cei dragi: familie si prieteni.
Sa treci cu bine, intelegere si linite prin aceasta încercare.
MIHAELA PANAIT
Friday, January 26, 2024
Dear Tena, I will keep you in my affective memory,with your sense of humor, (your jokes used to be so good) and your optimism. I will also remember your great cakes, the trip in Greece, and the wonderful time spended together with my uncle,Peter and you. May your soul rest in peace and in light! Mihaela &
Miu,Keti,Angela,Irina,Costin (Peter's family)
Cecelia Cockburn
Friday, January 26, 2024
So sorry for your loss! I'm thinking of you and sending up prayers.
Krystal Littlejohn
Friday, January 26, 2024
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending my deepest condolences. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.