Helen Kouvatsos

Born on February 28, 1933, in the small mountain village of Atsicholos, Greece, Helen was the eldest daughter of Athanasios and Efthemia Courouniotis. She was the oldest of four sisters and often shared fond memories of her childhood with those she loved.

In 1948, at just 15 years old, Helen immigrated to the United States with her sister Olga, their father, and their Uncle George—courageously leaving behind her mother and younger sisters, who joined them a year later. The family settled in Jersey City, where they began building a new life in a new country.

Helen married Alex Kouvatsos in 1953. Together, they had two sons, Dean and Tom, and they moved from Manhattan to Long Island, where Helen devoted herself to her family and community. She served as a strong example of resilience, love and fortitude for her two boys and ultimately for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In her later years, she relocated to Florida, where she became an active member of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Her faith was a guiding light in her life—she even made two pilgrimages to the Holy Land and was baptized in the Jordan River. She found deep fulfillment in her church community, where she baked for events, helped prepare the antidoron for church services, and forged lasting friendships.

A gifted gardener, Helen had a passion for cultivating both flowers and vegetables. She often said that if she could live her life over again, she would make gardening her profession. Throughout her life, she loved to cook and create using fresh produce from her garden, including tomatoes for sauces and salads, oranges for fresh-squeezed juice and mangoes as a sweet treat. Her creativity and joy bloomed in every garden she tended.

Helen had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit, often delighting her family with playful remarks. When her granddaughter Katrina once pointed out that only one of two garage lights was working, Helen quipped, “Because I only paid half the bill, sweetheart!”

Above all, Helen adored her family, especially her grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable pride and joy. Her legacy lives on through the love she shared and the strength she inspired in each of them.

Helen is survived by her two sons, Dean (Sherry) and Tom (Kay); her beloved grandchildren, Alex (Dani), Jennifer, Katrina (Justin), Eleni (Stuart), and Stephanie (Victor); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Penelope, Grace, and Cole.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives she touched.

A visitation for Helen will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243. The funeral will be at 11:00 AM at the church. A graveside committal will follow at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.