Lambra Kehris Koklanaris

After a long struggle with chronic illness, Lambra developed a cardiac arrhythmia. A short period of hospitalization and hospice care gave her enough time to say goodbye to beloved family members and friends and to receive last rites.

Lambra was born Oct. 21, 1941, to Nicholas James Kehris and Despina “Jessie” Rodites Kehris in New Kensington, Pa. She was the eldest of four daughters.

Lambra, ever a scholar, attended what was then New Kensington High School and graduated in 1959 with the rank of valedictorian. She then matriculated at the former Indiana Teachers College, now the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1963 with a degree in elementary education.

She was a lifelong educator. She taught in New Kensington and in Pasadena, Texas. Later, she was a Sunday School teacher in Monessen, Pa. and a substitute teacher in the New Hanover County Public Schools.

Lambra lived her life in faith. A devout Greek Orthodox Christian who happened to be blessed with a lovely voice, she sang in the choir of every church she attended. After 1996, that was St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington. Previous churches included Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, the church of her youth in New Kensington, and St. Spyridon in Monessen, where she raised her family together with her husband of more than 57 years, Dr. Emmanuel G. Koklanaris.

In addition to her husband, Lambra is survived by her four children - Dena Koklanaris of Palm Harbor, Fla., George Koklanaris (Libby) of Great Falls, Va., Maria Koklanaris Bonaquist (Ray) of Oakton, Va., and Dr. Nikki Koklanaris of Charlotte. The lights of her life were four grandchildren, Marc Bonaquist of Oakton, Anna Bonaquist of Arlington, Va., William Sanders of Charlotte and Athena Koklanaris of Great Falls.

Lambra is also survived by her three sisters, Margo Xidis of Oakmont, Pa., Joanne Kehris of Lower Burrell, Pa., and Demetra “Tula” Pirovolos (Dean) of Canton, Ohio, and by many nieces and nephews who had a special place in her heart.

Lambra was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law W. Scott Sanders, and brother-in-law Louis Xidis.

The family wishes to thank the many physicians and nurses who cared for Lambra over the years, as well as New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Lower Cape Fear Life Care. Special thanks goes to Harriet Beauchamp, provider of the most loving care.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 31, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 608 S. College Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28403. The family will receive extended family members and friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Following a luncheon, interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Blvd Wilmington, 28412.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 608 S. College Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28403. Donations may be made online at https://abundant.co./stnickwnc/giving

Select Memorials from the dropdown menu and write Lambra’s name in the memo line.