Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Dimitra worked as a paralegal before immigrating to the United States, after meeting and marrying the love of her life, Anargiros Aivaliotis in 1977. They were married for 37 wonderful years and had 6 beautiful daughters.
Dimitra was an extraordinary woman who touched the lives of so many people and believed in leading by example. From her warm, commanding presence to her words of wisdom, she was a consistent rock to her family and community. She had a smile that would fill a room and a trademark contagious laugh that could be heard for miles.
She was an avid reader and seeker of knowledge who embraced life whole-heartedly, traveling as much as she could, treating strangers as family along the way and leaving an everlasting impression on everyone she met.
She was an incredibly devoted mother and grandmother who never missed an opportunity to be present and involved with her family, who were the most important beings in her life. As a mother, she was everything a child could ever want or hope for or model to become. She was an active participant in her children’s education, well known and respected by all and even remembered for her delicious holiday treats and Greek pastries, which is still talked about today.
She was a proud mother who loved watching her children immerse themselves in their Greek culture, grow up in the church practicing their faith and be involved in the community, a theme that continued with her grandchildren. She was a driving force in making sure to bring Greek culture to America and, as a leader, recognized the importance in making sure that our heritage and language doesn’t die.
As a grandmother, she simply shined! She was ever-present in their lives, from the moment they entered the world until the moment she left ours. Always a phone call away and available to lend a hand, help with homework, or just be an ear to listen; she was loved immensely by all of them.
Dimitra was a woman of immense faith, being a devout member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield, Ohio. She served in several formal roles including President of the Board, President of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Festival Chairperson, Greek school teacher, and choir member. She was a selfless Christian woman who always put everyone before herself. Being a teacher at heart and an adopted mother to many, she always had an old Greek anecdote to illustrate God’s love and mercy that left one with a lesson or a laugh.
She is survived by her daughters Katina Aivaliotis-Gjinis of Mansfield, Ohio, Maria (George) Aivaliotis-Axiopoulos of Mansfield, Ohio, Christina Aivaliotis of Mansfield, Ohio, Sophia (Kyle) Aivaliotis-Gorrell of Galion, Ohio, and Despina (Chris) Aivaliotis-Antjas of Columbus, Ohio, her 7 wonderful grandchildren, Dimitra Axiopoulos, Zoe Axiopoulos, Anargiros Axiopoulos, Eleftherios Axiopoulos, Dimitri Gjinis, Vivian Antjas, and Andriani Gorrell and her brother Nikos Kouerinis of Athens, Greece.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Anargiros Aivaliotis, her daughter, Andriani Aivaliotis and her parents Andreas and Maria Kouerini.
Funeral services will be held Friday June 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Burial to follow in the Mansfield Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations In Memory of Dimitra Aivaliotis to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 265 W. Third Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903.
Wappner Funeral Directors-Mansfield is honored to serve the Aivaliotis family.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
