Plan for the Future
Jenny Gianis passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2024. She was the loving wife of John T. Gianis, M.D., who preceded her in death. Jenny was the proud mom of three sons, Thomas Gianis, M.D., and wife Carol; John Gianis Jr., M.D., and wife Elizabeth; and Stephen Gianis, and wife Debbie. In total, she had 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Through her last days, seeing and looking at photos of all of them made her so happy.
Jenny was born on January 16, 1929 in Summit, NJ to Dena and Gus Goumas. She was the oldest of five daughters. She is survived by her sisters Elaine Petropolous and Pat Kalellis and predeceased by her sisters Georgia Cougle and Tina Rogers. Her earliest days were spent happily playing with her sisters. During her childhood, her family moved from Summit to Keyport and back to Summit. Her father, Gus, was the founder of the Summit and Nautilus Diners and owner of the Keyport Diner. After graduating from Keyport High School, Jenny was accepted to college. In a different world at a different time, her parents thought it better to find a husband. Jenny was very fortunate to find the right match with John Gianis. Separated by six years, John had watched Jenny and her sisters grow up in Summit and, according to family lore, had frequently bicycled by them with bottles of milkshakes from his family’s sweet shop that he refused to share. They were married in 1948 and went on to share nearly 70 years of devoted marriage. In 1950, their oldest son, Tom, was born. As a family they moved first, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to attend the University of Alabama and then, to Geneva, Switzerland to attend medical school.
Jenny and John opened his Ob-Gyn practice in 1961. For years, Jenny helped run the practice. It is a testament to their love for each other that they managed to build a successful practice while raising their sons. Jenny was a proud member of Canoe Brook Country Club for over 50 years. It was there that Jenny and her buddy for life Ruth Cooper, played countless rounds of golf. As great friends, Jenny and John and John and Ruth Cooper also travelled the world. Jenny was so proud to have her boys attend the Pingry School. She never missed their football games there and continued to cheer them on in college. As a diehard Alabama football fan, she attended numerous bowl and national championship games (she and John even shared a BAMA1 license plate).
Jenny would want to be remembered as a loving wife and a hardworking mom for her three boys. She prioritized her husband’s practice and sons’ education and development over any individual goal. Their accomplishments were truly her accomplishments. As long as they were healthy and happy, she was happy. Though she was little in stature, she was big in personality and believed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were second to none. If ever asked how she was, even up until days before her death, her typical response was “can’t complain.”
Visiting hours at Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home, 299 Morris Ave. in Summit will be on Wednesday, March 13th from 6 to 8:30pm. The funeral mass at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 gallows Hill Rd. in Westfield will be on Thursday, March 14th at 11am. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
