Irene J. Hagianis

Born on March 3, 1918 in Manchester, New Hampshire she was a lifelong parishioner of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where she was an advisor for the GOYA youth group, past president of the Anagenisis, Daughters of Penelope and Tri-Ortho organizations. She was very active in the community as past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, ADK Honor Sorority, member of the Elliot Hospital volunteers for over 25 years and teacher of English to immigrants.

Mrs. “H,” as her students respectfully called her was a graduate of Manchester Central High School, Class of 1937, and Plymouth State University class of 1941, where she earned a bachelor’s of Ed degree. While at Plymouth she was a member of the ski and tennis teams. In 1955, she received a Master of Education Degree from Boston University, as a reading specialist.

Her career began upon graduation, as an elementary teacher in Sunapee, N.H.

She then married her husband, Sgt. James J. Hagianis of Newport N.H., in Galveston, Texas on January 16, 1943 prior to his deployment to the China Burma India Theater, B-17 bomber squadron.

After WWII, she taught at the Brown and Jewett Elementary Schools. She then joined the staff of Memorial H.S. as a Reading Specialist, for 35 years up to her retirement. She and Mr. Hagianis were married for 58 years at the time of his passing. They were dedicated educators who loved their profession and lived their entire married lives in Manchester. Irene loved to travel and had gone to the Far East and throughout the country. She enjoyed spending the winter season in Florida.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. John Vassiliou (Cynthia) of Gloucester, Ma. where she made her home for the past 12 years and her daughter, Kathy Hagianis of Lawrenceville, NJ.. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Dean Vassiliou, of Groton Ma., Peter Vassiliou, of Philadelphia, Pa., Dimitri and wife Bree, of Wayne, Pa., Ms. Irene Vassiliou, of Salem, Ma, Jennifer Kolovos, of Hamilton, N.J. and Mr. Peter Nicolaou, of Lawrenceville, N.J. and 5 great- grandchildren, Phoebe and John Vassiliou, Niko and Anastasia Kolovos, Eleni Vassiliou, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings Costas Folis, Perth Amboy, N.J., Tully Folis, Manchester, N.H., Ann Remick, Goffstown, N.H., and Sophie O’Keefe, Seattle, WA.

Donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester, N.H., 03104 or the Melissa Society c/o The Assumption of The Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 6, Ipswich, MA. 01938

Calling Hours were on Friday, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover Street, Manchester, N.H. 03104. The Trisagion service was held at 6:30 pm in the funeral home. Funeral service was held on Saturday, 10:00 A.M. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester, N.H. 03104. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.mchughfuneralhome.com.