Maria Eleni Coukos

FUNERAL HOME

Bliley's Funeral Home - Staples Mill

8510 Staples Mill Rd

Richmond, Virginia

Maria Coukos Obituary

Maria Eleni Coukos, age 42, died peacefully November 25, 2004 at her home with family and friends, after a courageous battle with head and neck cancer. Maria, born in Charlottesville on September 18, 1962, was the first born child of Steven Harry and Dianne Coukos. She graduated from Albermarle High School in 1980 and from Mary Washington College in 1984, after which she moved to the Richmond area to begin her career. Maria is survived by a loving family, her mother, Dianne Bambacus Coukos of Richmond, Va.; her sister, Dr. Eleni Coukos-Semmel of Delray Beach, Fla.; her sister, Stephanie Coukos Burgess; and nephew, Steven Hunter Burgess (age 8) of Richmond, Va.; and her brother, Harry Steven Coukos of Pittsburgh, Pa. Maria was preceded in death by her father, Steven H. Coukos. She leaves behind a group of truly genuine and devoted friends who supported her throughout her sickness and prayed for her daily. The Coukos family sincerely appreciates the personal, loving care and individualized attention provided through the Medical College of Virginia (MCV); specifically by the MCV Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the MCV Dalton Clinic and the MCV Massey Cancer Center. The family wishes to thank the distinguished law firm of LeClair Ryan for the unconditional support they extended during Maria's final struggle. Per Maria's request to be at home during her final days, the Coukos family wants to recognize the "angels" of Bon Secours Hospice for their medical care and continuous emotional and spiritual support. The family received friends at the Bliley Funeral Homes' Staples Mill Chapel, 8510 Staples Mill Road, on Friday, November 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., and there was a Trisagion prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27, 10 a.m., at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She will be buried, as she requested, in Charlottesville's Riverview Cemetery, 1 p.m. Saturday, next to the father she adored. In lieu of flowers, Maria had requested that contributions be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Endowment Fund, 30 Malvern Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23221.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch from Nov. 26 to Nov. 27, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Maria Coukos

11 Entries

Jenny Chappell

December 19, 2004

Maria was the first friend I made when I moved here from California in 1994. She taught me quickly that every tremor is not an earthquake. I loved her dearly and loved seeing her laugh. Her spirit was always optimistic and she made the best of things always. I trust in the promise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He has brought her home. See you soon, Maria. I love you.

Jen

gayle legner

December 18, 2004

i have never known a stronger spirit than the one maria possessed. her great sense of humor and her strong and courageous persona will be kept alive by those that knew her and loved her. she was and continues to be an inspiration to me to be a better and kinder person, a person that faces each day with laughter and dignity...i love you Ria and will miss you each and every day. the only thing that makes it easier to be without you, is that you are with your beloved father and finally free from all the pain, both physical and emotional.

love,

athena

Dianne Bambacus Coukos

December 18, 2004

I wish to thank you for your prayers and support throughout my family's time of need. I would also lke to say how proud I have been of my daughter Maria for her amazing spirit, strength, and the courage she displayed with each of the challenges she faced during her last few months on this earth. Maria's faith and hope were more powerful than ever which has allowed me to continue with such grace and strength. Thank you for your wonderful comments.

My sincere gratitude,

Dianne

Ann Mahoney Altherr

December 1, 2004

Dear Dianne,

I was so very sorry to hear about your daughter Maria and my heart is breaking for you and your family. After reading this lovely obituary I can tell that Maria must have been a very caring and loving person, and must take after her effervescent mother. May God bless you and yours, Dianne

Love

Ann

Jerald Harrison

November 30, 2004

I just wanted to express my sympathy to the family & friends of Maria. I bowled on her team through Wednesday night league at Shrader Lanes. She made me laugh alot & I am glad I got to know her.

First Market Bank

November 30, 2004

We will all miss Maria here at the bank. We deeply sympathize with the family. Our prayers are with you.

Delisa, Kendra, Bonnie and Casey

Liz Taylor Bagley

November 30, 2004

Dear Dianne, You and I went thru school together (Liz Taylor). Gloria (Carino) Prevatt-Smith saw this and alerted us, Ann (Mahoney) Altherr & I, as we all stay in touch. I am so very sorry about your loss and to see also that your dear husband is also in Heaven. I know you remember Dick Bagley, well, we found each other again, got married, and he passed away from a brain tumor in 2001. It is more than our hearts can take at times like this, I know. I feel so sorry for you and know your heart is broken that this could happen to your beautiful daughter and, before this, to your husband. I didn't know Maria, (so glad you included her picture) but I know you, and one can feel the love of your wonderful family that comes through in your lovely obituary. I just want to let you know that Maria is in my prayers and especially that I, as well as others, are thinking about you at this sad time, Dianne, and that you are in our hearts. Much love to you and your family,

Liz Taylor Bagley

Karen Tyler

November 29, 2004

I would like to express my sympathy to the family. Maria and I attended Saint Anne's and became friends. Even though time has slipped away and we lost contact, I will always remember her pleasant personality. She will truly be missed.

Jodie Sale

November 29, 2004

I just wanted to express my sympathy to the family & friends of Maria. I got to know her through the Shrader bowling alley league on Wednesday night. She was a wonderful person & always made me laugh. She will be missed greatly.

Bonnie Greenwood

November 27, 2004

Stephanie and family,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your dear Maria. Passing is only hard on the ones left behind, but praise the Lord, we are able to keep their memory alive forever. I know Maria is being shown around Heaven today by those she loved that arrived before her.

November 26, 2004

We love and miss you, you are always in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers...Thank you so much for all the laughs throughout the years....

Love,

The Family

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