Irene Pappas

Irene Pappas was born during the great depression on November 8, 1930 in New York to immigrant parents Demetrios and Mary Stellas of Nisyros, Greece. Irene lived in Garden City New York till she passed away on Friday August, 18 2017. After graduating from George Washington High School in Manhattan, Irene’s first job was with Gimbal’s department store. With her first pay check, she bought her parents a set of crystal hurricane lamps that has since been pasted down and still cherished by the family. This was one early example of how Irene always thought of others first as she continued to go through her entire life. Irene married her sweetheart Nicholas Pappas on October 25, 1953. They had four children together, Maria, Katherine, Demitra, and Michael. As time went on, Irene was blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Irene was a loving mother to her children, grandchildren, great grand grandchildren, and a devoted daughter to her parents, and a treasure to her siblings. As well as being a full-time mother and housewife, Irene also worked outside the home in order to provide that much more for her children. Irene strived to provide her children with the best of everything including an impressive array of educational reference books to help them through their school years. Irene was kind and generous to all. Irene managed to face all of life’s ups and downs with a caring and humorous outlook. During her later years she faced a difficult battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Even though she was in constant pain, she always managed a smile and a kind word for all. Irene’s kindness and grace was a gift to everyone she met. She was truly and Angel on earth and now she has her wings. We all will miss her dearly and she will always remain in our hearts.