Barbara Pagoulatos Pouris

Barbara Pagoulatos was born in Piraeus, Greece on February 4, 1925. She was the oldest of four children, having two sisters, Julia and Helen, and a brother, Jerry. Julia died of pneumonia at the age of one and a half. Three months after her birth, she and her parents, Maria and Spiro, moved to the US, making their home in Elizabeth, NJ. There they met another Greek family, Michael and Christina Pagoulatos (no relation), and became close friends. Barbara's mother became homesick so she and the children started taking vacations in Greece. Unfortunately, war broke out and the family became stranded in Greece because it became too dangerous to travel. Initially, Greece was occupied by the Italians and things were not too bad for the Greeks. Three months later the Germans invaded and everything changed. The shortage of food and water was so bad that people were dying in the streets due to malnutrition. This, combined with the British and American air raids and the noise of the German anti-aircraft guns made life very unpleasant. Eventually, American troops liberated Greece. Within three weeks after the Americans arrived, Barbara, her mother, Helen and Jerry boarded the Swedish ship Gripsholm for the long awaited trip back to America. The trip took 21 days, with stops in Africa, Italy and Portugal to pick up other American families. The ship arrived in Hoboken, NJ, on October 31, 1945. Getting off the ship she got on her knees and kissed the ground. She then had a tearful and joyful reunion with her father, after the 8 year separation. The family made their home at 553 Elizabeth Avenue in Elizabeth. The close relationship with Michael and Christina Pagoulatos, and their sons Tom and George, picked up where it left off. In November 1945, while having dinner with Michael and Christina, there was a knock at the door. It was their nephew, George, who had just been discharged from the Army. George and Barbara were introduced and everyone had dinner together. George was on his way to visit relatives in New York before leaving for Charleston, SC, where he had a business and relatives. Barbara's family spent Christmas Day with Michael and Christina. Many friends were there, including George. After dinner, everyone exchanged gifts around the Christmas tree. After the gift exchange, George got up from his seat and said he had an announcement. He went to where Barbara was seated, got on his knees, opened a small box and said 'I love you. Will you marry me?' She was shocked, speechless and embarrassed. She didn't say a word. Getting over the shock she approached George and asked 'How can you do such a thing?' His reply was a simple 'I saw something good and no one, but no one, is going to take you away from me.' They were married on Father's Day, June 16, 1946. They bought a home at 15 Lowden Street in Elizabeth. One year later their first son, Tom, was born. A year and a half later, Pete was born. While Barbara was busy raising the boys, George ran a number of food businesses, including the Globe Luncheonette and a dinner night club. He then started selling hot dogs from a wagon on Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth. From the wagon the business grew to become George's Drive In. In 1958, Barbara had her third son, George. A year after George's birth the family moved to Clark, NJ. As Tom and Pete got older, Barbara became more involved in the business. The house in Clark was always a busy place around the holidays. Family, relatives and friends would gather for hospitality as only the Greeks could do it. Barbara loved to cook for her friends and family and was a terrific hostess. Everyone came early, stayed late, and had a terrific time in between. On December 6, 1966, Barbara lost her beloved husband of 20 years. With her sons, she operated George's Drive In for some time until the business was eventually sold. Selling the business allowed Barbara to spend more time with her ailing mother but she missed being with people. She took a job at Hahne's Department Store in Westfield. Working in the Men's department, she met Louis Pouris, who she later married. She was very proud of her family and saw each of her sons get married and give her 8 grandchildren. Tom married Barbara Miskovich and they moved to New Mexico, where they had three children �?¯�?¿�?½�?¯�?¿�?½“ Kristi, Dan and Stacy. Pete married Joanne Capatides and they had two daughters �?¯�?¿�?½�?¯�?¿�?½“ Alexis and Amanda. George married Vivian Roumanas and they had three sons �?¯�?¿�?½�?¯�?¿�?½“ Alexander, Jason and George III. Shortly after her marriage to Lou, Barbara's started asthma worsened. Visiting Tom and Barb in New Mexico, she found that the climate was more suited to her condition. They decided to live in New Mexico and moved to Belen, NM in December, 1977. After Lou died, she then moved to Rio Rancho to be closer to Tom, Barb and the grandchildren. Barbara always did what she loved most �?¯�?¿�?½�?¯�?¿�?½“ she cooked and baked... and then sent the results to her family all over the country. You never knew when a box of cookies or some loaves of tsoureki would show up in the mail. In fact, even after her passing, a box of cookies arrived from 'YaYa Barbara.' What a fitting remembrance! She always felt blessed to have her family, and her family was blessed to have her. She loved visiting family �?¯�?¿�?½�?¯�?¿�?½“ in Chicago where she is survived by her sister Helen and her family and in Greece where she has many cousins who lovingly remember “Vera” as they called her. We will always remember her wonderful laugh, her sunny good humor and love of family and friends. She was always beautifully dressed and coiffed. She loved selecting wonderful gifts and gift wrapping them. She was elegant with exquisite taste, collecting fine china and crystal which she gifted to her family. Barbara's love for the Lord was truly an inspiration. May her memory be eternal. A Memorial Service will be held at Calvary Chapel, 138 Frontage Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM, Tuesday, September 28, 2010 from 4:00am to 6:30pm. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920