Helen Voucanos

Born in Gastouni, Elias, Greece in 1935. As a young child she endured World War II and the Nazi occupation. After the 1953 Ionian earthquakes devastated that region, she fulfilled a long-time dream and migrated to the US to live with her uncle, The Very Reverend Fr. Diodore Tsekouras. Uncle Diodore sponsored one niece and nephew of each of his siblings even though he had left Greece before any of them were born.

Living with six of her first cousins in Queens, NY, Helen worked in New York’s garment district as a seamstress. She sponsored all three of her brothers’ immigration to America.

In April 1963, she married Nicholas Voucanos of Vitinaika, Elias, Greece. He was ordained shortly thereafter and as Father and Presvytera they actively served for forty-two years in several communities including their first parish in Pennsylvania. In 1969 they were transferred to the Chicago diocese where they served under the late Bishop Timotheos and Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed memory. Communities included St. Spyridon of Sheboygan, WI, St. Demetrios and St. Basil of Chicago. Father Nicholas and Presvytera spearheaded the building of St. Nectarios in Palatine, IL. in the mid 1970's. They served churches in Champaign and Decatur, Illinois followed by Hollywood, FL, Asheville, NC and Lanham-Seabrook, MD.

Presvytera Eleni was a fabulous cook and baker. Both she and Father Nicholas were well known for their hospitality. They enjoyed having visiting clergy and parishioners over on Sunday afternoons. Their home was always filled with laughter, love, and food! She always made sure no college students from her parish went hungry and would make food baskets for them if they couldn't be with their families during holidays. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Father Nicholas and her brother Angelo Gerolimatos. She is survived by her son George (Adriana) Voucanos, daughter Maria (George) Sakas, grandchildren Eleni and Constantine Sakas and her brothers Panayioti and Elias as well as several nieces and nephews in the United States and Greece. She is mourned by a large extended family, close friends and parishioners of the church communities she and Father Nicholas faithfully served.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Libertyville, IL.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 19, from 4-8 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee. Funeral service will be held Monday, September 20 at 10 AM at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 O'Plaine Rd, Libertyville. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington.