Obituaries
Irene (Dianastasis) Mavrides, 91
October 08, 2020
Irene (Dianastasis) Mavrides, 91, fell asleep in the Lord at her Lancaster home on Thursday, October 8th. Irene was a loving mother, yiayia, aunt, and friend to many.
She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1929. Having grown up as a child of Greek immigrant parents, Irene worked at the family restaurant all through school. Irene graduated from McCaskey High School where she was a member of the Glee Club. Irene was ahead of her time and dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. She said that as a child, she always knew there had to be more to life than what she was seeing at the time.
At the age of 18, Irene attended a jazz concert in Reading where she locked eyes with the handsome sax player, Michael Mavrides, who would later become her husband and partner in life. The couple married on Christmas Day 1948, and they raised four children.
Once her kids had grown, Irene went back to school to pursue a degree in Psychology at Millersville University. She later rose to CEO and partner for Psychological Associates in Lancaster. Even in retirement, she was known to give friendly advice to family, friends, and strangers, whether they asked for it or not.
Irene was a lifelong member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, where she served as Parish Council President. She was and is a very faithful, peaceful, and charitable woman of God.
Irene was not one for sitting around, so after retiring from psychology in her 70s she started working as a receptionist at Lancaster Newspapers, where she continued working until she was 85.
Irene documented her life and spiritual journey in her book “Living in the Eye of the Hurricane, which she published in 2017.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Mavrides, her younger brother John Dianastasis, and her parents Ernest and Mary (Stringas) Dianastasis.
Irene is survived by her four children, Anastasi Mavrides (husband to Brenda Andrews Mavrides), Edward Mavrides, Despina Mavrides Snyder (wife to Brian Snyder), and John Mavrides (husband to Anne Long Mavrides). She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Sophia Mavrides, Lisa and Michael Mavrides, Irene and Ian Snyder, Melissa (Snyder) Hyneman and Rebecca (Snyder) Heckman, and nine great-grandchildren.
Irene will always be remembered for her strength, wisdom, quick wit, and love of Christmas, as well as for her unwavering faith and devotion to her family. May her memory be eternal!
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 10:30am at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 64 Hershey Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6-8PM at Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike with a Trisagion Service at 7pm. A second viewing will be from 9:30-10:30am on Monday at the church. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Memorial Contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or to Hospice & Community Care 685 Good Dr, Lancaster, PA 17604.
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Condolences to the Family
December 07, 2020
Desi, you came to mind today and now I know why! So sorry for the loss of your Mom but it’s heaven’s gain. I would love to catch up with you after all these years!
Nancy Klaus Drake
October 29, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Mavrides family. I have always admired this beautiful lady with the pleasent personality and enjoyed our friendship on facebook. She will be missed by us all.
Gus Papademetrious
October 12, 2020
Dear Desi and Mavrides Family, I remember Irene so fondly from the days (many years ago!) when I worked for her at the Psychology Department office at Millersville University when I was a student there. What a wonderful lady, and someone whom I’ve never forgotten! It was amazing to me that my father, Bill McCoy, became a neighbor of hers these past few years, and she became a friend that he always spoke so highly of. May our Lord bless you with His peace as you remember her wonderful life.
Theresa McCoy Graybill
October 12, 2020
I have fond memories of Irene and being in American Business Women’s Associations with her. We shared memories of our time in New Orleans at the convention. Sympathy for all family members.
Sallie Spotts
October 11, 2020
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Through I’d only met her a few times, it was evident that she was a unique and remarkable woman. Such a significant loss for your entire family I can’t imagine your sadness. I hope you’re able to find comfort in the many happy memories you have made and celebrate a life well lived. ~Leslie Jones
October 11, 2020
My deepest sympathy to Ed and all of the family … I very much enjoyed knowing Irene as a great neighbor always having a welcoming smile and quick wit ! Appreciate her giving me a copy of her book ,” Living in the Eye of the Hurricane ” which provides so much insight of her life …My daughter , Theresa (McCoy) Graybill worked part time in the psychology business office at Millersville University during her student years when Irene was business manager of the department. God’s blessings to all the family.
Bill McCoy
October 11, 2020
Dear family, Judy and I were saddened to her of your mothers passing, you have our deepest sympathy. We are sorry we will not be at the funeral service, we are in NC visiting family. With sympathy, George and Judy George.
October 10, 2020
You’ve been faithful to the Lord, and he has now called you. Rest In Peace in the Lord’s hands. We will all miss your caring and friendship.
John Sturges
October 10, 2020
Irene was a unique individual who will always be remembered for her quick wit, her engaging personality, and her devotion to family and our Greek Orthodox faith. My interest in genealogy found our connection, even though it was a bit convoluted and a symbetheria, going back to the earlier part of the 19th century Kos. We will always remember her fondly, and may her memory be eternal. With our deep sympathies, Nikita and Diana Zervanos
October 10, 2020
Irene was truly a compassionate person who had time to listen to you and only offered advice when it was wanted. She was a good neighbor in every sense of the word. She will be greatly missed.
Mary Keares
October 10, 2020
She was beautiful inside and out with a lovely touch of feistiness. My sincere sympathy for your loss.
Diane Koken
October 10, 2020
I went to school with an Ed Mavrides either at Lafayette Elementary School or Edward Hand Middle School. If Edward remembers a red-headed girl named Vicky Frey, I send him and his family my sincerest condolences on the loss of his dear mother. May God grant you solace and peace during your grieving process, along with an angel to help lessen your burden. – Vicky
October 10, 2020
One of Irene’s great attributes, though rarely displayed, was here work as a poet and of course, as a rapper. “There You Have It” is my favorite. She will be missed, obivously, yet it is clear that Irene’s nobility of spirit will live on in all who had the grace to know her.
Daniel Potter
October 10, 2020
Dear friends Desi, Ed,John, Ernie and families, I have so many fond memories of your mom as we were growing up. I will mostly remember her sense of humor and how she made me feel welcomed. May her memory be eternal. Maria Hazangeles Grant
- Visitation
- Sunday, October 11, 2020
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Visitation
- Monday, October 12, 2020
- 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
- 64 Hershey Ave.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Monday, October 12, 2020
- 10:30 AM
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
- 64 Hershey Ave.
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
