Theresa Germaine Koutrelakos Obituary (1935 - 2012)

WINTHROP, MAINE- Theresa Germaine Koutrelakos, 77, passed away at her home on Monday, April 30, 2012 after struggling with multiple health issues. The youngest of twelve children raised on a dairy farm in the Medford, Wisconsin area, Theresa was born on February 21, 1935 in Medford, Wisconsin, the daughter of Joseph and Susan (Kellner) Stauner. Educated in Wisconsin schools, Theresa (fondly known as Terry) met Peter Koutrelakos while he was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. They married, lived in the Chicago area, and then relocated to Dover, New Hampshire in 1963, where they remained long time residents until moving to Winthrop, Maine in 1983. While in Winthrop, she was employed as the head cook at Heritage Nursing Home until retiring at age 66. Theresa was a long-time active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston. She was recognized for her selfless dedication to serving others in the church and its surrounding communities when she was presented with the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston - Ministry Award in June 2010. A strong and independent woman who enjoyed mowing her lawns and doing her own snow blowing in the winter months, Theresa had an artistic side to her as well. She was an avid gardener and art painter who loved nature, enjoyed bird watching, and had many pets over her lifetime. She will be lovingly remembered by her family and all those who knew and loved her for her great sense of humor and steadfast faith. Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Peter, in 1990. She is survived by her three sons, Gregory Peter Koutrelakos, Sr. of Cumming, GA; Kenneth Joseph Koutrelakos of Phoenix, AZ; Kevin Nicholas Koutrelakos of Winthrop, ME; and daughter, Cindy (Koutrelakos) Brunelle & her husband, Mike, of Pelham, NH. Theresa’s beloved grandchildren include the children of Gregory Peter Koutrelakos, Sr.; Alexis, Gregory Jr., Christine and Katherine Koutrelakos, all of Johns Creek, GA; the son of Kevin Nicholas Koutrelakos; Nicholas Peter Koutrelakos of McMinnville, TN, and the children of Cindy (Koutrelakos) Brunelle & her husband, Mike; Terryn and Reagan Michael Brunelle, both of Pelham, NH. A funeral service celebrating Theresa’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 155 Hogan Road, Lewiston, with Father Theodore N. Toppses officiating. Committal prayers will be offered during her interment at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 at the Greek Orthodox Cemetery on the Old Colony Road in Dover, New Hampshire. May her memory be eternal. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1344, Lewiston, ME 04240. Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, Maine, where condolences, memories, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com