Maria Iliopoulou Banis

In Loving Memory
Maria Iliopoulou Banis
May 26, 1938 - March 10, 2024
Maria passed away peacefully at the age of 85 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Maria was born in Athens, Greece. She was a skilled dress maker and clothing designer. She was the beloved daughter of Ilias and Eleni Iliopoulos. Growing up in Greece with her twin sister, Evdokia and younger sister, Ekaterina, Maria loved the outdoors. She enjoyed hiking, biking and the beautiful mountains of Greece.
Yiayia Maria entered our lives three decades ago with a whirlwind of patience and love, and we now sadly have to say goodbye. Her timing was impeccable, finding our father, Efstratios M. Banis during a visit to Greece when he needed comfort, and a /companion. They were truly blessed to find one another in the latter part of their lives. They loved each other very much and enjoyed traveling to Greece to visit family and friends. Yiayia Maria's treasures were her many grandchildren who she cared for over the years. The grandchildren have now grown, and they all loved and adored their Yiayia throughout their years.
Maria enjoyed endearing walks through Bordentown, always with a smile that lit up the world. She was a beautiful and graceful woman and touched those around her with her kindness and her love of life. Most of all, she was a pious woman who loved our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Panagia. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and neighbors.
Maria is survived by her children; Olga Stratis, Nektarios and Eleni Banis, Achilles and Barbara Lambriodes, Emanuel and Irene Rigas, Peter and Joanna Hovling. Her sister Ekaterina Griva, Nieces Eleni and Joanna Griva, and Nephew George Kollaros. Grandchildren, John Stratis, Maria Raffaele, George Banis, Maria Adamos, George and Stephen Lambriodes, Marissa and Eleftherios Rigas, Jack, Adam and Theodore Hovling. Great Grandchildren; Sophia and Eva Stratis, Athina and Nektarios Adamos.
Calling hours will be held at 10:00 am at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 1200 Klockner Rd, Trenton, NJ on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 and followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made in Maria's name to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Hamilton NJ.