Elaine Vurnakes Fotiades

Elaine Fotiades, age 88 of Raleigh, died peacefully on February 24, 2013, surrounded by her family. She was born in Chrysafa, Greece, the daughter of the late Constantine Vurnakes and Harriet (Papajohn) Vurnakes. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1939, attended Raleigh schools and graduated from Peace College. Mrs. Fotiades was a devoted wife and mother who supported her husband as his career took them to seven different states over four decades. One of her proudest achievements was serving as the beloved director of the Little Shepherd Nursery School in Naperville, Illinois. Beyond her family, Elaines greatest love was for her church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Her joy and spirit was to serve in so many capacities to support festivals, fund raisers and fellow parishioners. Elaine will always be remembered for her humility, warmth, faith and unwavering love and dedication to friends and family. The talent displayed by anything her hands touched was a true gift enjoyed by so many. She leaves an indelible legacy of charity and compassion to her loved ones. Elaine is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Louis Fotiades, and survived by her son George Fotiades and wife Dianne Fotiades, daughters Maria Mason and husband Henry Mason, and Michelle Eichhorn and husband Rick Eichhorn, and sisters Pota Vallas, Marion Aretakis and Labrene Russos. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Adam Fotiades, Nicole (Fotiades) Terhune, Alexis Fotiades, Michael Estes, Geordan and Leah Eichhorn , Reed Mason and Whitney Mason Chapin; and two great-grandchildren: Wyatt Fotiades and Mackenzie Elaine Terhune. The family will receive family and friends on Wednesday, February 27 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Road, with a Trisagion service beginning at 6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church with burial to follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 or to the Hospice of Wake County at www.hospiceofwake.org.