Gunilla Zafiroglu

“When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what it has found” – Sufi Proverb

On July 4, 2023, Gunilla Zafiroglu passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 82, surrounded by her beloved husband, Dimitri, and children Petra, Nicolas, Alexandra, and Christian.

Born in Gävle, Sweden, she was the only child of Everet and Vera Zettergren. Gunilla worked as a nurse in Karolinska University Hospital and later married the love of her life Dimitri Zafiroglu, moving to Delaware in 1964. She enjoyed traveling around the world with Dimitri and they both worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for their children.

In addition to her large family, Gunilla always made time for others, providing support and love not only for her family and friends, but donating her time driving the elderly to and from appointments and providing an open- door policy to everybody she met. While known to be gracious and compassionate by all that knew her, Gunilla was also known for her sense of humor and fast wit! She was a joyful and energetic woman whose talent for gardening, knitting, crocheting, and making the best Swedish cookies in Delaware will never be matched! She will always remain the Chinese checkers champion of Centreville, Delaware!

Gunilla’s spirit lives on through all who loved her, family and friends alike. In addition to Dimitri and her children, her grandchildren William Clark, Ian Clark, Rohan Card, and Judah Card carry on her openness to new experiences, her joy in caring for others and her passion for creating and making new things in the world. Her aunt and cousins in Sweden and their families, her sisters-in-law and their families in Greece, and her extended family in the United States, including her children’s partners Peter Martin, Nicole Zafiroglu, Matthew Card, and Lori Palmer and their families including Carla and Lou Martin, and Fran Card will forever be grateful for the gift of knowing her cherish her in their memories.

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Funeral Services

There will be a private ceremony for family members at a later date and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doctors Without Borders or Food Bank of Delaware.

Doctors Without Borders

Food Bank of Delaware

Condolences

Lorena Meunier writes,

Dear Dimitri and family, We are both so saddened by the news of dear Gia's death. I hope she knew that we loved her and thought the world of her. We will always cherish the memories of times we gathered for a wine tasting and shared many laughs and stories. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Love, Lorena

07/06/2023 07:34 pm

Don and Mabelle Sturgeon writes,

Dimitri, Gia and Petra were our first neighbors when we arrived in Wilmington. We both were couples from foreign countries with one daughter each of the same age. We immediately became friends. Gia and Mabelle chatting while taking care of the little ones grew very close. Friendship was strengthened by Gia's spectacular Swedish meatballs. Job transfers distanced us geographically but never extinguished our fond memories and love for Gia and family. Our deepest regrets on her passing to all her loved ones. Mabelle and Donald.

07/07/2023 02:13 pm

The Yoslov Family writes,

I met Gia just after she moved to Wilmington I ran her door bell to sell Avon and the rest is history. Our families grew and we stayed close for many years. Sharing Holidays and family events for many years. Gia was a treasure and will be sorely missed With much love to the entire family MAY HER MEMORY Be A BLESSING To ALL WHO KNEW And LOVED HER Yvette Stan Ron Amy & Duane

07/09/2023 09:21 pm

Peter Kachinsky writes,

Petra, My sincerest condolences to you and your family. I believe it was back in about 1986 that I met your mother, and father, with you only a few times, and I remember her as being a very sweet person. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. May she rest in peace and you have solace knowing she is in good hands. Sincerely, Pete

07/15/2023 03:52 am

The Kågström family lit a candle and writes,

It is incredibly difficult to understand that one of my oldest childhood friends, dear Gunilla Zafiroglu (born Zettergren), has passed away... 😰 We spoke just a week before her passing and were looking forward to seeing each other soon... But now there will be no more trips to Sweden for Gunilla... Thankfully, the memory of her last trip to Sweden before the pandemic is so warm and dear to us all. Sincerely Birgitta "Bibbi" Parkelius-Kågström, with Roland, and Jonas & Alice

07/18/2023 06:53 am

Jonas Jacobi writes,

To my second cousins, I was just informed about Gunilla's passing. Although it has been many years since I last had a chance to speak with her, I still remember how close Gunilla was with her cousin Ulla Zettergren (my mother) and how exciting it was when my brother Adam and I got to meet with our "kusiner från Amerika" when Gunilla, Petra, Nicolas, Alexandar, and Tian came visiting in Gävle. Gunilla was always such a bright light and inspiration to our family and many others. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Dimitri and all my "kusiner".

08/04/2023 06:25 pm

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