Irene Rene' A. Printezis Stratas

Irene (Rene’) A. Stratas, of Raleigh, North Carolina born August 5, 1929 in Athens, Greece to the late Andreas and Leontia Printezis. She loved and was dedicated to her family. She is survived by husband Nicholas, her lifelong love, married in 1955 in Toronto, Canada. Three very beloved and loving sons have brought her great joy and continuing the family legacy of service to others include Nicholas, of Raleigh, an attorney, his wonderful and loving children Alexandra, Andrew, McLain, and Wilson; predeceasing her, Byron, the second son, a Wilmington ophthalmologist, his surviving and loving wife Caroline and their very loving and wonderful children Ashleyanne, Grace and Hughes of Wilmington, NC’ the third son, Andrew, accomplished actor also predeceased her as did her grandson Luke and her loving sister Elsa of Greece. She is also survived by her cousin Rena of Greece and sisters-in-law Mary of Port Charlotte FL and Teresa of NYC and Punta Gorda, FL

She was the first child prisoner of the Nazis during the World War II German occupation of Greece, to assure the capture and imprisonment of her father, author, painter and publisher who had written an extensive expository book about Hitler and the Axis.

A graduate of Arsakion and Harokopion Institute of Science of Athens, Greece, she continued her education at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, England in Hospital Administration and Nursing.

Committed to helping others she served in leadership positions with Girl Scouts of Greece, Junior Red Cross, Emergency and Disaster Program of Greece, Queen Fredericka Village for Orphans and Incurable Diseases Asylum all in Athens, Greece. She was Liaison Representative for the Girl Guides of England while there. Upon her return to Greece, she served as Director of International Relations, and Organizer and Trainer for the Girl Guides of Greece and translator for the Royal Greek Admiralty.

In Toronto, Canada she was organizer and leader of the Greek-Canadian Girl Scouts, interpreter for the Greek Consulate and Canadian Immigration authorities, Executive Secretary for St. George’s Hellenic Orthodox Church, Director of the Greek language school and Coordinator of Volunteers for the Greek-Canadian Community of Toronto. During this period she was the reluctant but acclaimed star in the leading and name role of the classical Greek play “Meropi”, a major success, broadcast and recorded for posterity by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In Raleigh, she served the Dorothea Dix Hospital Volunteer Guild in various capacities including President, Secretary, Chair of Forgotten Patients, Chair of Nominating Committee, Chair of Publicity and Public Relations, Chair of Finance and member of the Board. During her early years in Raleigh, she was active with the North Carolina and Wake County Medical Alliance chairing the Mental Health Committee. She served a number of volunteer organizations such as Board Member of Community Group Homes of Raleigh, Inc. and Wake County Family Services.

Following the tradition of her father and grandfather, she was a very accomplished painter and author; publishing a number of articles, and an historical novel, Dual Heritage, drawing from her own life experiences. She was asked to rewrite the book in her native Greek language for publication in Greece, where it was widely acclaimed.

“Now remain faith, hope love, these three. The greatest of these is love” 1COR 13:13.

Visitation with the family and viewing will take place on Wednesday, April 21 at Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Trisagion prayer service at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Thursday, April 22 at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church, with entombment at Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Following services on Thursday, the Makaria lunch will be held at approximately 2:30 pm at Nikos Taverna in Morrisville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church for the Stratas Charitable Fund, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Condolences to the family can be sent to www.brownwynneraleigh.com