Maria Poulos

Maria Poulos of Juno Beach Florida passed away peacefully on 22 February 2026 at age 93. Maria was born on 2 September 1932 in Astoria-Queens, New York, NY. She was the fifth child of parents George and Politimi (Rovatsos) Thorakos, immigrants from Lakonia (Apidea and Kyparissi, respectively) Greece, who were naturalized US citizens in the early 20th century. Maria was baptized into the Greek Orthodox Christian faith on 24 November 1932. She graduated Long Island City High School in 1950 with a commercial course of study and later on earned associate degree credits in bookkeeping and accounting. Her activities were the Girl Scouts, cheerleading, basketball, swimming and student government. Maria (Thorakos) was married to Daniel G. Poulos on 14 June 1953 and for 63 years until his passing in 2016. They first lived in Astoria and had two children before moving to Kings Park, Suffolk County, NY. They raised their family embracing the suburban lifestyle of the 1950-90s with summertime activities focused on the beach, fishing, swimming, gatherings and gardening, and in winter frequently ice-skating. Along with two of her sisters, Helen and Demetra, she was a skillful seamstress and created dozens of outfits, costumes and upholstery for her family. Maria was a Rangers hockey fan, enjoyed jazz and the big band sounds, Greek music, musicals, ballet and the opera. Occasionally they travelled abroad and across the USA. She was an avid reader of American history, historical novels and biographies. During early motherhood she worked as a bookkeeper for her nephew Anthony Chion, (Van Chion Jewelers) and afterwards for several different companies in the manufacturing sector, including Honeycomb Fabricators, Web Prep Corp. and the Hitachi Seiki corporation USA where she embraced cross-cultural experiences and friendships. Maria was a parishioner at Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Greenlawn, NY until she and her husband became snowbirds to Juno Beach, Florida in 1990 where they settled as residents in 1996. Subsequently, they were active at Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach. She served in The Ladies Philoptochos (philanthropic) society as treasurer for many years. Above all, she loved her family and friends, enjoying coffee klatches and playing cards. Maria was predeceased by her husband, Daniel George Poulos (Geanacopoulos); her siblings, Thomas, Helen, Lilly, Demetra and James; her nephews, Guy Vroulets, George Thorakos, Anthony Chion, and niece Paulette Chion. She is survived by her son, Daniel James Poulos; granddaughter, Sophia Alexandra Poulos; daughter, Jean Marie Poulos; grandson, Luca Constantine Poulos; nieces, Susan Sieben, Paulette Karas, Lisa Thorakos, Georgette Thorakos; nephews John Vroulets and James Thorakos and their descendants. Other surviving members include her husband’s lineage of dear nieces, nephews, cousins and their families."

Her family is grateful for the abundance of support available for caregivers in Palm Beach County, FL and the supporting staff at The New Day Adult Care Center-North Palm Beach, Brookdale-Tequesta, The Gardens Court-Palm Beach Gardens and Hospice/Trustbridge-Palm Beach Gardens.

In loving memory, visitation and funeral services will take place on 12 March 2026 at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church (110 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405) followed by a mercy meal (fish, Lenten, vegan) for family and close friends of all faiths and denominations. 10:00 am: Visitation; 10:45 am: Trisagion blessings; 11:00 am: Funeral (Saint Catherine Church) and Burial (Hillcrest Memorial Park); 1 pm - Mercy Meal (Makaria), location TBA. Memorial contributions to any of the following organizations would be graciously appreciated: New Day Adult Care Center, Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, Trustbridge Hospice Care, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.