"Dear George and family, I just read about Candy's passing away and want to send my deepest sympathy's to George and his children. She always lit up a room and made the world a better place. All my love David Loeb"
In loving memory of
Candida "Candy' Lee Gialamas
October 4, 1948 - November 24, 2013
Candida "Candy" Lee Gialamas, age 65, died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 24th 2013 in her home with her family by her side. She was born in McFarland , WI, on October 4th, 1948 to Howard and Virginia (Kastner) McKinstry. She attended her first years of schooling in a tiny one-room schoolhouse, then graduated from Oregon High School. Candy met George Gialamas in Madison, Wisconsin while she attended UW-Madison for a degree in Engineering. She was an avid marksman & the captain of the UW Marksman team. She lived briefly in Denver, CO, working at Martin Marietta Aerospace Firm on the Apollo project before she married George on August 22, 1970.
Candy was an avid traveler and felt it was important to show her family the world with travels to all 7 continents. Candy was motivated to deepen the footprint of Madison. Together with her husband, George, they created Old Sauk Trails Park. Candy and George worked together as partners for 37 years in their family business, The Gialamas Company. In addition to her family & career, she was also involved in numerous boards and philanthropic efforts. She is a co-founder of The Madison Country Day School. She worked on projects such as the building of The Ronald McDonald House, Festival of the Lakes, The Women's Fund, Keep Wisconsin Warm, UW-Madison School of Music, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Twenty years ago, she created the largest annual fundraiser for the Madison Symphony Orchestra--Concert on the Green. She also established the Concert in the Park, a free annual concert for the community from the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. Her goal was to someday create an outdoor summer music series. Candy always had an allegiance to veterans as both her parents served in the Marines. Candy was also well-known as "Mrs. G" for her countless pasta parties before each of her son's high school football games.
Candy was a devoted wife, mother, and YiaYia. Candy will be deeply missed by her husband, George Gialamas, children and grandchildren, Lana (Stephen) Bull, Scottsdale, Arizona, and their sons, Alexander and Grayson, Thomas (Penelope) Gialamas, Madison, and their children Candi and George, Gina Gialamas, Madison, Aris (Marta) Gialamas, Madison, and their children George, Candy, and Petra; and her siblings Gary McKinstry of Lodi California, Susan Jandry of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kelly Haase of Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents Howard & Virginia McKinstry of McFarland, and her siblings Kathy Lankston of Denver and Scott McKinstry of Madison.
Visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave, Madison, from 3:00-8:00 on Tuesday, Nov 26th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given in Candy's name to Madison Country Day School Scholarship Fund, 5606 River Road, Waunakee WI 53597,or the Madison Symphony Orchestra, 222 W. Washington Ave Suite 460, Madison WI 53703.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of Meriter Hospital & Agrace Hospice for their loving care and support during this difficult time.
God Looked Around His Garden
God Looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He Closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Tributes
"We are so sorry for your loss - we didn't know Candy-but she is "family". Her Mom, Virginia, was a sister to my husband's father, Emil (Virginia) Kastner, originally from Platteville. It's too bad that as family we never had the opportunity to connect with Candy and her family. She sounds like she was a truly remarkable woman! Deepest sympathies to you all."
"Worked with Candy on many political campaigns and events. I will miss her. I am so sorry for your loss. She loved her family so much and was so proud of you all."
"Dear George and family. We were so sorry to hear of Candy's passing. We have many good memories of her. Our heartfelt sympathies and thoughts are with all of you. Love, Helen & Perry Gialamas"
"My sincerest condolences for your loss. I met Candy at the Golde n Door with her wonderful daughters many years ago and we developed a warm friendship. I am so very sorry to learn of your loss and will hold you and your family close in my prayers. "
"Dear George and Family, I am saddened to hear of Candy's passing. She was a lovely and most accomplished and caring woman. I will always remember her fondly. We had wonderful times with her and you on numerous occasions when we came to town to visit my brother Bassam and June. We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. May her memory be eternal. With our love and hugs to all of you, Amahl and Frank Drake "
"Dear George and family, Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I will always fondly remember Candy's warm and loving personality, gracious entertaining, her love of sports, and fun we had in sharing many happy family occasions. She was the consummate individual who accomplished so much through her charities, work, organizations, and philanthropic endeavors which she pursued with such vigor. May she rest in peace and her memory be eternal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love to all the family. "
"Thoughts and prayers are with all of the Gialamas family. Candy has touched our hearts with her smile and caring personality. She will be greatly missed by all of us at Lori's Pet-Agree Salon and the LaCour family. "
"Our sincerest condolences to the entire Gialamas Family. Her obituary reveals she was an extraordinary woman. ζÏ?ή Ï?ε Ï?αÏ?. The Amers Family "
"I am heart broken for your loss, Candy was my First cousin, I have not seen her for years. My heart goes out to her family."
"I am sad to read of your loss. We attended Oakside School together; she was in my brother's class. I remember her as a sweet little girl--kind, loving, warm hearted, and thoughtful. My heart goes out to her family.
She will be remembered and will live on in you."
"We are saddened by your loss. Candy was the most gracious hostess during our few visits but especially so at the Gialamas family reunion. May her memory be Eternal."
"I was saddened to hear of your loss. I have many good memories of Candy. I started first grade with her at Oakside school and went through all 12 grades with her. She was a great person. May she rest in peace."
"Our memories go back to the '80's when George was one of my mentors and heroes at IBM. The first time Gary and I were invited into Candy and George's home, we left that first evening with the sense that we wanted our new marriage to be like George and Candy's. Now, 42 years later, my heart reaches out to George and his family, I hope the quote below will give them support: "Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." -eskimo Proverb"
"My family & I are so deeply saddened by the loss of Candy- a special Angel from God. My mother, father, brothers & I were touched by Candy's kindness, grace, beauty & spirit from the day my Cousin George introduced her to us. How fortunate we are to have had her touch our lives. Thank you for making this world a Better place. Please accept our condolences. You will forever be in our hearts. God sure has a very special "Angel"-- Love, Betty, Tom, Alex, Nick Chibucos"
"My sincere condolences to the Gialamas family. Candy's obituary reveals to me that you have lost a very special wife, mother, and grandmother. May her soul rest in peace and may God comfort each of you during this difficult time."
"God Speed , Candy. You took me under your wing as a friend for many years and together with our other lady friends we shared the joys of life with your wonderful family as the company grew and your children grew from kids into young adults with spouses and then grand-children. We worked together on strategy and community projects which I will never forget. "I leave you peace; my peace I give to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 "
"So sad to hear of your loss. We have such wonderful memories of spending time with you all in Africa many years ago. Candy was the epitome of a strong smart beautiful wife, mother and fellow engineer! Our heartfelt condolences, Chris, Rick, Morgan and Devon Check"