Irini went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 6th, 2026, surrounded by her family at home. She is survived by her loving children, Elpiniki Konstantinou, Prodromos (Jeanee) Konstantinou, Elias (Anna) Konstantinou, and Maria (Omiros) Zambigadis; her ten grandchildren, George P. (Stephanie) Konstantinou, Irini P. (Richard) Korte, Evaggelia (Ray) Granberg, Michael Plantenberg, Irini S. (Simon VanHoover) Konstantinou, George E. Konstantinou, Georgeia Zambigadis, Sophia Konstantinou, Irini E. Konstantinou, and Stratos Zambigadis; and two great-grandchildren, Damianos Korte (of Richard and Irini) and Alexander Konstantinou (of George and Stephanie). Her family takes deep comfort in knowing that she is reunited in heaven with her husband George, daughter Theodora, parents, and many siblings.

Irini was born in Amyntaio, Greece on April 20th, 1931. The daughter of a mercantile, she was the first person awake in her village, early to rise and sweep the sidewalk before opening the ζαχαροπλαστείο (candy store). That's how she caught the eye of her husband, George, who fell in love with her hard work ethic, quick wit, and deep beauty.

Irini and George moved to the United States on May 12th, 1967. They were parents of two children, and Irini had a third child in her belly. Landing in New York City, they made their way to Kankakee, Illinois, before finally making it to Rochester, New York in the spring of 1968. They established their restaurant on May 5th, 1977, planting permanent roots in Ontario, NY, where they raised their five children.

Irini loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She helped her husband with their restaurant, all while tending to her home and children. She kept beautiful gardens, prepared freshly-cooked meals, baked fervently, and loved to sing. Her house was spotless, and she even found time to leave a few scraps out for stray cats that wandered into her barn. This encapsulates exactly the kind of person she was: giving, thoughtful, and tirelessly strong.

While she accomplished much in a day, she never started her work before praying, nor did she end her day without a prayer. She was guided and fueled by her faith, trusting in God to care for her and her family. She will be remembered for her fearlessness, her strength, and how she exemplified grace as the matriarch of her family.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 9am before a 10am Funeral Service at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (962 East Avenue Rochester, NY) followed by her committal at Furnaceville Cemetery (2280 Trimble Road Ontario, NY). Family and friends are welcome to attend the Makaria meal at Konstantinou's Restaurant (2030 State Route 104 Ontario, NY) following the cemetery committal.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church: https:// giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4212419b-98a5-4db3-a5f6-1088a63d3326.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
962 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
Web: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/4212419b-98a5-4db3-a5f6-1088a63d3326.