Obituary of Elena Kroulas

Elena (Koutsis) Kroulas

Elena Kroulas, age 79, loving wife of James, passed away May 22, 2025 after a long, heroic struggle with a series of medical hospitalizations. She was the beloved, daughter of Lillian and Peter Koutsis, and sister to Philip and sister-in-law to Maryann. Loving aunt to Gregory and Philip & Moon and their children.  Beloved cousin to both her American and European families.

Elena was a beautiful light in all of our lives - full of warmth, strength, and love. She was an amazing wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, godmother, cousin, and as a teacher she developed friendships with so many.  

Born at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, she remained a lifelong resident in the village. She was a graduate of Bronxville High School, matriculated at Green Mountain College in Vermont, and in her third year attended Pierce College in Athens, Greece. Prior to returning to the USA, she took the opportunity to travel by Eurail Pass through Europe. She then completed her final year with a Bachelors degree at Boston University. She continued her postgraduate classes at NYU, and earned a Master in Ed. Soon after, she began a teaching career in the City of Yonkers School District and become a member of the YFT (Yonkers Federation of Teachers). As a K-6 teacher for over 35 years, she taught hundreds. Besides the classroom, she qualified and taught remedial math and early intervention-Reading Recovery. She developed faculty friendships with colleagues that have lasted her lifetime. As a lifelong learner she added many ‘in service’ courses ranging from Early Childhood classroom studies to Italian. After retirement, she continued to tutor while also consulting.

Elena loved traveling. In her post college days, she traveled for skiing from New England to the Rockies. Ultimately, skiing Jackson Hole Black Diamond runs. Throughout her life, she also loved to travel with Jim, and with family and friends. She visited Cyprus multiple times to renew family ties, as well as, the Mediterranean to see cultural sites, and museums in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece, as well as, the rest of Europe from Bavaria to Norway. She and Jim traveled, before and after retirement to Europe, and the Caribbean, multiple times, both touring and cruising to places as far-flung as Australia, South America and Iceland. She also traveled and recalled fondly the ‘California-Parlor tour’ with her “crew” of teaching colleagues. They turned dinner and ‘get togethers’ at work, into ‘homelife’ and personal relationships, that included family milestones, while sometimes including spouses, a ‘bond of sisterhood’ that still continues. At home, Elena enjoyed reading, occasionally knitting, riding the stationary bike, and swimming regularly.

Our Faith gives us peace knowing she has moved on to a better place thanks to the grace of God. The love of our family and friends lends comfort during this difficult time. And we know the joyous memories we have of Elena shall always be with us.

Please know, her deliberate, disciplined decision on leaving was on her own terms, but also, true to her kind, caring, generous, loving character - although it was failing - her heart was thinking of you. She did not want to be remembered in illness, but as she was when each of you knew her, in those good times. May those memories, that each of us have of her, be a loving blessing. Eternal be her memory. 

Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle NY, NY 10804 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am.

Funeral Service will follow at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle NY, NY 10804 Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 11:30am to 12:30pm.

Interment will follow at Bronxville Cemetery, 18 Midland Ave, Bronxville, NY 10708.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Elena Kroulas to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, St. Jude's Children’s Hospital, Feeding Westchester or the charity of your choice. 

May Her Memory Be Eternal!!