Maita G. Houpis, age 87, fell asleep in our Lord on February 9, 2022. Beloved wife of the late George E. Houpis. Dear sister of the late Harriett G. (the late Gerry) Walsh, John M. Gasser, and Edith G. Shea and sister-in-law of Constantinos (Georgia) Houpis, Maro (the late Demosthenes) Georgas, and Nicholas (Matoula) Houpis. Loving daughter of the late Hortense and Cyril Gasser. Beloved aunt of Cynthia (Steve), Matthew, Thomas (Nancy), Peter, Michael (Yvonne), David (Debbie), Robin (Don), Julie (Thomas), Paula (Jim), Matt (Melissa), Mairita (Agapios), Evan (Candace), Vasya (George), George (Georgia), and the late Thomas (survived by Kathy), Daniel (his late partner George), and Vasiliki. Great-aunt, cousin, and friend to many who will miss her dearly.
Maita attended boarding school at St. Mary’s Hall, Fairbault, MN and graduated in 1951. She then went to Colorado College and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1954. She was one of the first women to be admitted to the Harvard Radcliff Business School where she received her first Master’s degree in Business and it was during this time she met the love of her life, George, in Keene, NH in 1956. During that time, she was also the Assistant Director of the YWCA in Cambridge, MA and then moved back to Minneapolis where she worked at General Mills. She later attended Northwestern University, Chicago and received a second Master’s degree in Education. In 1965, she began teaching at Jane Stenson Elementary School in Skokie, IL during which time she traveled to Europe in the summers with students as a part of a foreign educational program.
Maita and George dated for 10 years before they wed in November of 1967. She and George traveled extensively throughout the world over their 50-year marriage. They spent at least a month every summer in his village of Vamvakou, Sparta, Greece where George was born. Their travels were so extensive that the only places they did not get to visit were Bolivia and Antarctica. As part of their travels, one of the most memorable moments was volunteering for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She was closely involved with the preparation of the Opening Ceremonies and George was in charge of seating all of the VIPs for the sporting events. Additionally, George and Maita were very active in the Greek Orthodox community. They were two of the 25 original founders of Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church, 24 years ago, which was their passion and their main purpose in life.
Family and friends will meet at Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church, Lincolnshire, IL on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10AM for visitation with funeral service to follow at 11AM. The service may be viewed live or recorded by clicking here. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Capital Campaign, 1207 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 or to the Educational School Fund of your choice would be greatly appreciated. Arrangement by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, Ltd. 847-375-0095.
May her memory be eternal.