February, 24 1945 – November 29, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Irini Mavroudis (nee Kolokytha) on November 29, 2022, surrounded by her family.
Irini is survived by her children Costa (Tiffany), Spiro, Christo (Chrisy) and Polyxeni (Todd); grandchildren Alyssa, Kailyn, Jude, Ben, Parker, Jakob, Christian, Matthew, Evan and Olivia; sisters Vicky and Zaphira; brother Thanasis (Pitsa), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Irini was born on February 24, 1945, in Doriko, Greece. At the tender age of 12, she left Greece and made her way by boat to Canada (Montreal) to join her newly married sister Zaphira and family. Eventually, she made her way back to Greece where she met her future husband, Stephanos Mavroudis, when they both found work at the newly built Athens Hilton hotel. The newlyweds moved back to Canada and had four children and established their permanent home in Winnipeg.
Irini was fiercely protective of her family and worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful life for them. Nothing brought Irini (aka Yiayia) more joy than her grandchildren who she spent countless hours playing with, cooking for, and giving them all her love. Although her grandchildren regularly cheated during board or card games, Yiayia strategically never noticed.
Equally as important was Irini’s love and dedication to her Greek Orthodox faith, which she exemplified through the support of her church, community, and ongoing philanthropy. Her love of music drove her to mastering the piano and earning a degree in Byzantine music. She further channelled her passion through teaching songs to Greek School and Sunday School children, taking part in community musical events, and leading the Church Choir for many years. She was also a dedicated chanter during liturgy, weddings, and baptisms.
Funeral will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 11:00 am at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue. Interment to follow at Waverley Memorial Gardens, 1501 Waverley Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
11 thoughts on “Irini Mavroudis”
We will miss you, Eirini! Thank you for being a friend!
Anastasia & Xanhoula
May your memory be eternal Irini…rest in peace.
My condolences to the family. Dear friend Irini, may you now rest in peace. No more health struggles, pain, sorrow or suffering. I am sure you are already thinking about when to schedule choir practice in Heaven! You will not be forgotten!
Irene was a beautiful soul. When I first came into the choir she asked me where I feel comfortable singing. I told her I have no idea. Then she asked me to sing a few notes which I did and she was wavering on which two levels I could sing at. Finally she felt that I was comfortable singing soprano. Irene was very talented in her singing career and knew where others felt comfortable singing. I loved her so much and it’s a shock and sad to hear the news. May her memory be eternal and our condolences to the family. So deeply sorry for your loss. ☦️🙏🏻😔🌹
Mrs Mavroudis was a fixture in the Greek Community of Winnipeg and will be dearly missed. She was a kind and gentle soul, always smiling and happy to see everyone. Our community will not be the same without her . My deepest condolences to all of you during this difficult time.
Kosta, Spiro, Christo and Poly
My deepest condolences for the loss of your beautiful mother. She was truly an angel.
May her memory be eternal. May god wrap his loving arms around all of you.
Sincerely,
Mimi 🌹
Our Sympathy to all the Mavroudis family! Irini was an angel! Loved celebrating orthodox Easter dinner with her and family and breaking her hard-boiled Easter eggs and the symbolism behind this ritual! Admired her chanting in church! God bless you all and rest in peace Irini as you join the choir and angels in heaven! Lots of love to you Chrisy and Chris, Parker and Jakob and all the family. Aunty Lynn Douglas, Gary, Dean and Jade and Bowie.
I am saddened to hear of Irini’s passing. We were neighbours for nearly 30 years and in that time we had many chats, laughs and heart to hearts.
She was so tolerant of my dogs ‘greeting’ her at our shared fence -when I encouraged her to spritz them with her garden hose, I could never get her to do it. She just chuckled, spoke to them and let them get it out of their systems.
She was an avid gardener, and many times I was the lucky recipient of her vegetables; there was nothing better than her fresh lettuce and tomatoes. She many times had the grand kiddies in tow teaching them, picking her produce and discussing what she was going to make for dinner.
When I took up perennials as a hobby, she would provide tips and recommendations and we would admire the end results together. Some of her Hosta grace my flower bed and I think of her every summer when checking their progress.
My late mother and my sister had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Irini and the interaction left them both commenting what a nice woman I had living next door. She always took a minute to say hello. She was genuine.
Irini was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and always spoke of them with such joy. With her grandchildren’s birth a lilac bush or plant would be put in to commemorate their arrival; These are the details I have relayed to my new neighbor to provide special meaning to the history of that house. I also made sure to share where the tomatoes thrive. 🙂
Irini- such a hardworking, lovely selfless woman. My heartfelt condolences to all the family. I know she will be missed terribly. She has left behind a legacy, take comfort in her teachings and her memory. To model yourselves after her will impact this world in a positive way. ❤️
My best memories of Irini was her authentic love for the Lord, Family and the Greek Orthodox Church. And of course her beautiful chanting voice. Irini set an example of how a woman should live life. 🙏 ☦.
Sincere condolences to Irini’s Family, to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox parish, and to all whose hearts she touched. Irini has left a legacy to cherish and to live on. Memory Eternal, my dear friend! ♥
Dear Kosta, Spiro, Chris and Poly,
Its been a long time since I moved away from Winnipeg, but I have such fond memories of your mom, and her very gentle nature. – from Sunday School, and also from her instruction in the children’s choir.
I’m so grateful that she came to visit me when she was in Toronto for a conference. It was so nice to reconnect with her, and to see the pure joy and love she had for my son, who was just 1 at the time.
She was a lovely lady — you were lucky to have her as your mom, and yiayia.
May her memory be eternal.
Thinking of you, Angie
– Angie Athanasopoulos