Irene N. Jouras

The stars were aligned on a beautiful moonlit evening as God called her home to be reunited with her beloved husband, Nicholas L. Jouras, on what would have been his 101st birthday. She was 89 years old.

Irene was born in Vlaherna, Greece to Eleni Vrentas Kollintzas and Dimitrios Kollintzas. She devoted her life to the church and her family. She was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Kansas City, MO as well as St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church of Overland Park, KS. She was past president of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a lifetime member of the Daughters of Penelope, a proud member of the Annunciation VIP’s and the original pastry chairman for the first Greek Food Festival in 1973, originally held at Crown Center, which still continues today.

The eldest of 11, growing up she lived through the Great Depression, the Nazi occupation and the Greek Civil War before immigrating to the United States in July of 1951 with her sister Vasiliki Raptis for a better life. She was the matriarch of the Jouras family – teaching us unconditional love, strength and how to have the utmost “philoptimo” (love of pride) for our family. She is now our heavenly angel and will continue to guide us on our way.

Irene is survived by her 3 children – Athanasios Jouras of Warren, MI, Konstandina Gardner and husband Michael J. of Kansas City, MO, Elaine Maib and husband Keith of Leawood, KS. 7 grandchildren – Andriana Kopulos and husband Alexander of Kansas City, MO, Nicholas Gardner of Kansas City, MO, Krystina Haines and husband Jonathan of Baumholder, Germany, Adam Maib of New York, NY, Andrew Maib of Kansas City, MO, Marina Maib of New York, NY and Amalia Hunter and husband Grant of Kearney, MO and 5 great grandchildren. Siblings – sister Vasiliki Raptis and husband Konstantin of Overland Park, KS, brother Athanasios Kollintzas and wife Mary of Frankford, IL and sister Maria Focas and husband Spiro of Sarasota, FL and many cousins, nieces and nephews.