Venetia Kouzounas

July 6, 2022

Venetia Kouzounas, 88, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine passed away on the morning of July 4th, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Venetia "Yiayia" Kouzounas left behind a legacy of love and genuine care for humanity that will be continued in her honor. The impact of her death has reverberated throughout the community where she is already sorely missed by so many who knew her.

Venetia was born in 1934 in Gythio, Greece—the largest coastal town in the region of Mani. She was the second oldest child of Yianni Thiamadakos and Pota (Anastatakos) Thiamadakos and was raised in their country home with her five siblings, whom she loved and cared for dearly. Venetia's love of caring for people was spawned at a young age, where she experienced living in Occupied Greece during World War II. It was during this time that a young Venetia experienced the cruelties of war, starvation, and death—leaving a lasting impact on her. This impact manifested in Venetia's unwavering lifelong displays of unconditional love and generosity for people, as she cooked and cared for anyone who looked even the least bit hungry and or in need of a special "Yiayia" hug.

At the age of 19—while in Teacher's College—she met and married her Greek-American husband Vasili "William" Kouzounas in Mavrovouni ("Black Mountain"), Greece. After marrying, Vasili and Venetia moved to the United States in 1954 and started their family, where they raised their four daughters to value the importance of family, education, and hard work. Together, Venetia and her husband proudly raised their four children, four women, to be educated and empowered—values that were far ahead of their time.

Venetia owned and operated Venetia's Restaurant in Old Orchard Beach for 51 years. Established in 1970, the restaurant provided a place for their family to work together and make a living, but also to finance her children's higher education—something Venetia and Vasili were very passionate about. For the past 38 years, Venetia operated the restaurant with her youngest daughter, Venus, and her son-in-law, John Henry Gilboy, who was the devoted son she never had. Venetia's Restaurant continued to be the workplace for many generations of family, including all of her adoring grandchildren and many local children—right up until its last year of operation in 2021.

A person of great faith, Venetia was an active member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Over the years, she was involved in many of the church community's activities and functions, which brought her great joy. She took comfort in knowing that God would bring her home when He was ready.

Venetia's most treasured pastimes were cooking (mainly for others), the holiday seasons, and spending quality time with her family and friends—who she cherished most in this life.

It is a testament to her life of love and caring for others that explains the grief still felt by her family and those who were fortunate enough to know her—even after a full life lived. In Greek, "Yiayia" translates to "grandmother," but more literally it translates to "woman." And what a woman she was, our beloved Yiayia. Venetia will live on for generations through the memories she's created with her family and dear friends who love her so very much and miss her already.

She was predeceased by her husband Vasili (William) and by her four siblings; Vasiliki, Panayoti, Theodoros, and Eleni. She is survived by her younger sister, Niki, and her husband, Petros.

She is survived by her four daughters: Demitroula Kouzounas and husband Joseph Penna, Pota Desjardins and husband David, Georgia Bell and Venus Gilboy and husband John. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Nichol and husband Doug, Joseph and wife Christina, Nicholas, Anthony, Melissa, Jared, John William and wife Julia, and Elizabeth, as well as four great grandchildren—Lena, Gia, Scarlet and Carter, and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 5-8PM with Trisagion Prayers at 6:30PM Friday, July 8, 2022, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco. The Funeral Service will be held at 10AM Saturday, July 9, 2022, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Saco. Burial will follow in St. Demetrios Cemetery, Biddeford. To view Venetia's memorial page, watch her family video or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in Venetia's name to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley Street, Saco, ME 04072.