Lill Zgonis Obituary (1952 - 2026) - Dracut, Massachusetts

Lill Eva Margareta Suzanna Zgonis, 73, of Dracut, Massachusetts, passed away on February 12, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on April 20, 1952, in Växjö, Sweden, Lill lived a life shaped by quiet strength, deep love, and an unwavering commitment to the people she held dear. Lill grew up in Sweden, the daughter of Holger and Hillevi Ortvall, in a family that would give her both roots and resilience. She carried her Swedish heritage with her throughout her life, a thread of identity that colored everything from the way she kept her home to the warmth she brought to a gathering. It was a heritage she never let go of, even as life carried her far from the small city where she was born. She pursued a career in nursing, a profession that suited her perfectly, even if she might not have been the type to say so herself. Lill was not someone who made a show of her compassion. She simply showed up, did what needed to be done, and made sure the people around her were taken care of. That was who she was, in her career and in every other corner of her life. Her marriage to Evangelos (Evan) Zgonis was a long and loving one, a partnership built on devotion, shared adventure, and the kind of loyalty that only deepens with time. Together they raised three children, Miltiadis, Evdokia, and Elin, and built a home that was equal parts warmth and structure. Lill was the steadfast support her family leaned on when the times were toughest. She did not waver. She did not shrink from difficulty. She stood firm, and her family was better for it. Those who knew Lill understood that she was a woman of layers. She was stoic, yes, and thoughtful in a way that meant she chose her words and her moments carefully. She could freeze you with a stare that made you rethink every decision you had ever made, but she could also melt you with a hug that told you everything was going to be all right. She was funny, often in ways that caught you off guard, and she was kind when it mattered most. She was often misunderstood, but those who took the time to truly know her discovered a woman whose love ran deep and showed itself in countless meaningful ways. Lill filled her days with the things that brought her joy. She was an avid knitter, and her hands were rarely idle. She loved playing with her dogs and was a dedicated supporter of the local ASPCA, believing that animals deserved the same care and kindness she extended to the people in her life. She and Evangelos shared a love of camping, and their trips together were a cherished part of their marriage. She loved to travel, to see new places and experience the wider world. At home, she threw herself into decorating the house for every holiday with an enthusiasm that turned each season into something special. And she was a wonderful host, someone who loved gathering family around the dinner table, filling the house with food, conversation, and the kind of togetherness that makes a family feel like a family. Lill was preceded in death by her parents, Holger and Hillevi Ortvall, and her brother, Jan-Christer Ortvall. She is survived by her beloved husband, Evangelos Zgonis; her son, Miltiadis Zgonis; her daughters, Evdokia Zgonis and Elin Zgonis; and her sister, Åsa Ortvall. Over the course of her life, Lill grew close to the Old Calendar Greek Orthodox Church, and her faith became a profound and sustaining part of who she was. It grounded her, gave her peace in difficult seasons, and shaped the way she moved through the world with grace and purpose. Her family takes great comfort in knowing that she is now free from suffering, held in the arms of the God she loved and served so faithfully. She is finally at peace. In keeping with her wishes, services will be held privately. Lill was an amazing wife, mother, sister, and human. She showed her love in so many meaningful and countless ways, and we all benefited from knowing her and being around her. Her legacy will live on through every person she touched, every life she quietly made better, and every heart she warmed with that unforgettable embrace.