Dear Xouris Family,
  It feels like only yesterday that we were sharing

My dearest Despina...friend and classmate in parsons....caring, fun, loving, talented....I love you and will always remember your smile....

Dear Billy ,Jackie, Nicholas, Nicole and Billy

How sad it is that Desi will not be celebrating her birthday tomorrow. How can that be? After being friends for so long she will always be dear in my heart. I will always think of her on her birthday in years to come. 
I am so sorry and sad that she is not be here today for me to call her or to celebrate with her. Last year I took her out to a Thai restaurant . She said she never had Thai before and was looking forward to go again.  Selfishly, looking back I am so glad that we had that celebration together.  Who would have ever imagined that it was going to be the last.  
I am so, so very sad that she didn't know this was coming. She still had so many dreams to fulfill.
The display of her artwork was so wonderful to see at the funeral parlor.  I'm so glad you thought to do that. Not everyone realized how talented she was and I'm so glad that I got to see work I had never seen before.
I will miss her dearly because friends like her are not replaceable. She was always so pleased for me when I would tell her good news and always so supportive and positive when I didn't have such good news. I will miss her lively spirit, her laugh, her stories she remembered so vividly when we were in high school, her honesty, her friendship and most of all her love.  She was a talented, generous, accepting,and beautiful loving person. That is how I will always remember her. 
I am so very sorry for your loss of a dear sister, sister-in-law, aunt and godmother.

With my sincerest sympathy,
Renee

My dear friend Despina - I will miss you and think fondly of the fun and good times we shared. You were taken way too early, but God has a plan for all of us. I know that you are with your sweet mom & dad and that makes me happy! 
Billy & Jacquiline, I am so sorry for your loss. I know this time is difficult. May God rest her soul and carry her in his arms forever more!

I may have had a few losses this year, but I gained one thing that will hold a huge part of my heart forever. And that is my guardian angel, my Aunt Despina. As her only neice, she passed on her artistic talent and I carry her spirit through my work everyday. She would have celebrated her 59th Birthday this January, but God had a different plan. As hard as it is to understand, faith can absolutely work wonders. Thank u God for blessing my family and I with memories that I will carry with me through 2014 and always. Love u Aunt Mimi

Dear Mr. Xouris and Family,

I am very sorry for the loss of your sister and aunt. Losing a family member is always difficult, but with great family and friends around you I know you will be able to get through this.

Love,
Pat and Jess

Despina,
I miss you.  I love you. It was great to see you at Billy's graduation this year. I will always remember you asking for Neil.  It meant so much to me. I will treasure the portrait you painted of me and Vickie. As this new year approaches, we are so sad for Billy because he is broken without you. We promise you we will be there for him as much as we can. We have such good memories of you from when we were kids. We share Billy's memories of all the good times. The only thing that gets us through without you, is knowing you are now in YaiYai and Papou's arms. Please give them a kiss from me and Vickie. Love you.  Rosie

Dear Billy And Family,
Gerri and I are truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful, talented sister.  I know from my many conversations with Jacqueline over the years that you were always a devoted brother to her, right up to the end.  I understand that Despina left a legacy of beautiful creations of art and many lovely memories for you and your family to treasure forever.  Please know that you have our deepest condolences and are in our thoughts.
Love,
Gerri and Mona

Dear Billy -

"Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear." ...Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, Comfort in the midst of pain.  Words cannot heal the pain of losing someone so dear. Despina will live on through you and your family!  May God give you the strength to overcome the pain and the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.  

If there's anything you need or that I can do, you and Jackie know where to find me.  

xoxo

My tribute to Aunt Despina from the restaurant:

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who came out to honor my Aunt Despina.  Words cannot express how much your presence means to me, my family, and especially my father.  So before I say anything else, I'd just like to thank all of you for being here.  

As most of you know, I'm Nicholas, the namesake of my grandfather and Despina and Bill's father, Nicholas.  I'm also Despina's nephew and godson.  The last half of that sentence was the most important part to my Aunt.  Whenever I introduced her to somebody as my aunt, she would quickly correct me: “Excuse me, I'm not just his aunt; I'm his godmother.  He's got plenty of aunts but he's only got one godmother!”  

That always brought a smile to my face.  I have a godson now, too and part of what makes that so special to me is knowing how special the godparent-godson relationship was to my Aunt Despina.  She spoiled Nicole and I both when we were little… but she always had one extra gift for me.  Sorry Nicole…but that's just the way it was.

About two months ago, she called me for my birthday.  Now…. as everyone here knows, my Aunt Despina can TALK.  Whenever she called me, I knew I wasn't going anywhere for at least the next hour.  But that was fine with me.  

Our phone calls always followed the same script.  First, she'd ask me if the Red Sox were playing, which was her way of finding out if she had my full attention.  Then she'd ask about my job.  Then she'd ask how my brother and sister were.  Then she'd ask if I had a girlfriend.  Then she'd ask if Nicole or Billy were dating anyone.  

Next, she'd tell me a story about some mischievous thing my dad did when he was a kid.  Then she'd tell me some things about my relatives—like Tina's artwork or Tony's café.  Then she'd ask about my mom's parents.   Then, one by one, she'd ask me about each of my mom's brothers and sisters.  How were their kids?  Where are they living these days?  She loved them all equally but she especially loved Rosie and Vickie, the babies of the family whom my Aunt spoke of like they were her little sisters.  

After she finished asking me about my mom's family, I always knew that the question I dreaded the most was coming next.  I felt like a student who knew that his teacher was about to ask him for his homework—his homework that he didn't do.  She'd pause for a second and ask:  “Nicholas, tell me, have you written anything recently?”  Lately, the answer had been no.  And this truly saddened her.   

Aunt Despina loved my writing.  From high school through most of my 20's, I'd write essays on anything from the Red Sox, to softball, to life problems, and she loved reading them, no matter what the subject was.  Sure, she'd call me with corrections, saying that I should have ‘added this' or ‘left out that', but either way, I loved her enthusiasm for my work.  She always stressed that writing was a form of art—which was her way of telling me that my skill came from her and not my dad.  

After we spoke about writing this most recent time, I changed the subject to a random story that I thought she'd be happy to hear.  I recently had Greek food from a restaurant in Astoria prior to speaking to her–and forgive me if I mispronounce it—but I ordered Pastitsio.  I know Aunt Despina loves when I tell her things involving my Greek heritage, so of course she'd like to know that, right?  Wrong!!  

“You can't order Pastitsio from a restaurant!  That's a Greek dish that needs to be homemade!”  Then she promised that she'd make it for me one day soon.  

I never got the chance to try it.  

Those unfulfilled plans are always going to upset me.  Everyone in this room has somebody in their life whom they don't see as much as they should.  It might even be somebody else in this very room.  So please, make an effort to fix that today.  

Make dinner plans.  Schedule a get-together.  Because you really never know when you won't be able to anymore.   

Oh and by the way… I'm not putting anyone on the spot, but somebody here is going to have to teach me how to make Pastitso, this way Aunt Despina doesn't get mad at me the next time I order it from a restaurant.  Because I know she'll be watching me.    

During the last 24 hours, I've had countless relatives and friends of Despina tell me how proud she was of me.  And she told me that time and time again.  But after the tremendous turnout yesterday and today, and seeing the beauty of her artwork, I realized something ironic.  I realized just how proud I am of her too.  

Aunt Despina, you always wanted me to write more.  Last night, I finally did.  You inspired me to.  

I love you and I'll miss you, Godmother.

The Holt Family has been united with the Xouris Family for years with Billy being a true son to us and we share his great loss of a  sister to whom he always shared love and admiration for her great talents.She will be missed but always remembered.       Mom and Dad Holt

Dear Bill and Family, Dotty and I wish to share our sincere sympathy for your loss. I never formally met your sister Dispena, but I'm sure she was a special person like yourself.

Rest in peace Despina! Rosie and I have some of our greatest memories hanging in Astoria with you and your parents! I will miss u! Luv u xxoo

Dear Billy, WE wish we could be there with you my brother.......Despina is at rest with your mom and dad..... Our Lord will look over her... We had some great times with despina at your mom and dads house years ago !!!! She will be missed and loved by all that knew her...      Our Hearts and prayers go out to you..  We Love you, my brother !!!                     Jack and Anta Holt, Jr

Dear Bill,  I am so sorry for your sister ....I am Sofia your causin from Greece and (from family Irini Xouris) I was serching long time ago to find her but unfortunately only  today i saw ?t ...............I always remember her as i knew her !!!! Be strong !!!!

Billy there's no words.I wish i could be there to try and comfort you.This truly sucks! I will always remember her smile.Be strong brother.

Dear Billy,
We love you and pray that God gives you strength during this difficult time. May it bring you comfort to know that Despina is at peace and is enjoying time with your mom and dad in heaven.  May her memory be eternal. With love,
George, Andia, Alyssa and Alexander

Dearest Bill, May you find comfort in all the good memories you hold within your heart. It is a blessing that during these last few weeks Despina was able to tell you that she loved you and was so appreciative of all that you & Jacqueline were doing for her and continue to do for her at this most difficult time. It was wonderful that I was able to see her at Billy's Graduation party a few short months ago & she was so happy to be there! I love you brother, Mary Lou xoxoxoxo

OBITUARIO

Despina Xouris

11 enero, 1955 – 13 diciembre, 2013

Stamatiades Funeral Home

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