LOWELL – Irene (Kapsouris) Manelas, age 96, a longtime resident of Lowell, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 17, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late John Manelas with whom she enjoyed 21 years of marriage prior to his death in 1961.
She was born in Eptachorion, Greece on December 5, 1924 and was a daughter of the late Demetrios and Soultana Kapsouris.
Irene was a very special woman whose family and faith were her whole life. She was a member of the Philoptochos at the Transfiguration Church and could be found at the church on every Holy Day. She received the Diocesan Award for all of the years she dedicated her time in making the Prosphora for the church’s liturgical celebrations. Every Sunday also included the tradition of the family gathering after church for bread and cheese and a special family dinner, complete with her homemade Finikia for dessert. She was employed at the Speare House for 29 years and after her retirement she enjoyed visiting family and friends in Greece.
She is survived by her children; her beloved son, Dimitrios “Takis” Manelas, who lovingly took care of her, daughter Voula Shanks and her husband, Glenn of Dracut and their children, Lisa and Tom Sellinger of Andover and Stacy and Chris Caron of Dracut, daughter Roula Karafilidis and her husband, George of Lowell and their children Alex and Stella Karafilidis of North Reading, John and Dora Karafilidis of Andover, and Jimmy and Christina Karafilidis of Chelmsford, and daughter Lea Foster and her husband, Paul of Florida, daughter-in-law, Poppy Manelas of Pelham, NH and her children John and Karen Manelas of Pelham, NH and Rena and Chuck Debrun of Pelham, NH, eight grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great granddaugter, Gia Lea Xifaras of Chicago, IL. She also leaves her sisters Emily and her husband Peter Evans of Florida and Martha Boutsos of Greece, and many, many nieces and nephews.
Sadly, Irene was predeceased by her son, Arthur and grandson, Stamatis Xifaras.
Due to current gathering limitations, there will be no calling hours. Her Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 21 at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way, Lowell. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Transfiguration Church, 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854.