Marika Vafiadis passes - St. Nicholas issues funeral announcement

To the Faithful of the St. Nicholas Community,

Christ is Risen

With faith in the uncreated Light that shines forth from the Life-Giving Tomb of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and in the certain hope of the Resurrection, I write to inform you of the falling asleep in the Lord of Marika Vafiadis, the beloved mother of our own Archon and devoted parishioner, Dr. Dean Vafiadis.

Marika reposed peacefully in the Lord on May 6, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on August 3, 1932, in the village of Vessa on the island of Chios, Greece, she immigrated to North America after meeting her husband, Nick Vafiadis. Together they built a life rooted in family, faith, and hard work — first in Montreal, Canada, and later in Bayside, Queens, New York.

Marika was a woman of radiant faith, humble strength, and deep love. A longtime friend of the Church, she offered her talents as a dressmaker and countless acts of service to St. Nicholas in Flushing and St. Basil Academy. Her voice graced the choir, her hospitality welcomed many, and her famous loukoumades became symbols of her generosity and joy. Her life bore witness to the living Christ through action, compassion, and steadfast devotion to her Orthodox faith.

She is survived by her son Dr. Dean Vafiadis, his wife Helen, and their children Krystina, Nicholas, Natasha, and Peter; and by her late son Peter’s wife, Christine Jennings, and their sons Kyle, Ryan, and Sean. Marika is also survived by her brothers Mike and Alex Koutsoubis, along with numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband Nick, her son Peter, and her brothers George, Bill, and John.

As we commend her soul to the mercy and love of our Risen Lord, we remember Marika as a model of Orthodox womanhood — rooted in prayer, charity and quiet faithfulness.

We pray the Lord grants rest to her soul in the place of the righteous, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.

Viewing
St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church
353 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM

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Funeral Service
St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, Tenafly, NJ
Monday, May 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, donations in her blessed memory may be offered to:
St. Basil Academy for Children, Garrison, NY