Irene Anastasiou

Born in 1918 (or 1920, depending on who you ask), the youngest of 12 siblings, born to Father Demetrios and Presvytera Eleni Stephas in Kriakouki, Greece. Irene was well known in her village as a very beautiful young woman and to this day is considered as omorfi (beautiful) Irini by villagers that remember her. At a very young age, Irene married Demetrios Boutsinis and in 1939 gave birth to her 1st son, Konstantinos (Gus) Boutsinins. Three years later during WWII in her Nazi occupied Greek village, Irene became a widowed, single mother. With the support and love from her extended family, she gained the strength to overcome soldier invasions and escaping to nearby villages, under extreme conditions of hunger, poverty, and illness; even bartering with German soldiers for food for her son.

After the war, Irene sought a better life for her son. One of her sisters was living in Seattle and helped arrange for Irene to marry a Greek man from Seattle, Harry Dimitriou. Irene flew to the Bahamas where she met Harry for the first time and married him. In 1948, Irene started her new life with Harry in Ballard and one year later had her 2nd son, John Dimitriou. Six years later, Irene was widowed for the 2nd time. Now living in a foreign country with limited English skills, no work experience, and 2 growing boys to care for, Irene had to find the strength to support her family. With the help of extended family and new friends from the Greek community in Seattle, Irene persevered, learned English and found a job as a seamstress (first at McDougals, then for many years at JCPenny). As a single mother, Irene was committed to her children, overcame all obstacles (on 2 continents), and successfully raised 2 strong and successful boys whom she adored.

Many years later, Irene was introduced to Anastasios (Tom) Anastasiou, a widower from Greece that had family in Seattle. They married in 1970 and a few years later, Tom's son, Stavros Anastasiou joined them. Tom and Irene lived happily in Seattle amongst their Greek community, spending time with friends, hosting lots of parties, playing lots of cards, participating in the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church, visiting Greece, and helping to raise her grand-daughter, Demetra Irene.

In 2005, Irene was windowed for the 3rd time, but now she no longer had to take care of others. For the last 10 years, Irene has enjoyed regular visits from her boys, her grand-children, and her great grand-children. For Irene, there was no greater joy than being surrounded by her family. The legacy of her strength, her love, her faith, and the commitment to her family will live on for many generations.

Irene is preceded in death by Demetrios Boutsinis, Harry Dimitriou, and Anastasios (Tom) Anastasiou. She is survived in life by her sons Konstantinos (Gus) Boutsinis (Joanie), John Dimitriou (Carla), and Stavros Anastasiou (Colleen); her grand-children Demetra Biros (Panagiotis), Ari Dimitriou, Yeorgia, Arlina and Antonia Anastasiou, Catherine Vibbert, Julie Sharp, and Barbara Proszek; and her great grand-children Nikolas and Konstantinos (Kosta) Biros, Riley and Ryan Vibbert, and Jennifer, Seth and Leanne Sharp. Along with several nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the loving and caring ladies, Sameri, Alma, Bella, Yodi, Eskedar, and Yemi, that have been by her side for the last few years. You are each a blessing from God and Irene loved you dearly.

May her memory be eternal.