Jean Fountas

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jean Fountas (nee Vallas) on March 1, 2026, in Rockville, Maryland. Jean was born December 3, 1935, on Staten Island, New York, to George and Irene Vallas. Jean had an older sister, Constance, who is deceased. The Vallas family enjoyed a close bond with their numerous relatives who lived in the NY/NJ metro area. Her mother’s family were from Lynn, Massachusetts. Jean and Connie spent their childhood summers in Lynn, which Jean remembered with great fondness.

After completing high school, Jean became the first woman in her family to attend college. She attended Wagner College, which she graduated from in 1956, with a BA in English Literature. After graduation, she was employed by Time/Life in New York City. Jean married James (Jim) Fountas, son of Christos and Mary Fountas, on November 28, 1959. Jean and Jim lived on Staten Island until purchasing their first home in Cranford, NJ. Their child, Christopher, was born in 1963. Jim’s job took the family to Chicago, , Boston, and back to Scotch Plains, New Jersey in 1974, where they lived for the next forty-four years. They remained married (60+ years) until Jim’s passing in 2020.

Jean was active at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Westfield, New Jersey. She served two terms as President of Ladies Philoptochos Society. She was a volunteer in the church office for decades, a fixture and mainstay at numerous charitable events, and a faithful parishioner.

Jean is survived by her son, Christopher, his wife Christine, and beloved grandchildren, Rosemay and Noel-Emile. Funeral services will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 7701 Bradley Road, Bethesda, MD. 20817, on March 10, 2026, at 11:00 am. Graveside services will follow immediately after at All Souls Cemetery, 11401 Brink Road, Germantown, MD. 20876.