Connie Kouchalakos

Constance Kouchalakos of Orlando, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 05, 2025. She was born on January 29, 1943 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her father, John T. Rousakis of Agioi Theodori, Crete, immigrated to the United States in the early part of the 20th century to work in the copper mines of Utah. Asimo Hrisanthacopoulos, her mother, left Chora, Greece, as part of the Greek diaspora in the mid-1920s. The couple met, wed and raised five daughters in Massachusetts; Constance -- affectionately known as Connie -- was the youngest. She relocated to Orlando in 1959 and attended Edgewater High School. Connie graduated from the University of Florida, where she met her husband James Kouchalakos, and later received a Masters degree from Stetson University. Connie and Jim wed on December 27, 1964 was the first celebrated at the newly-established Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Orlando. They had son, Andy, and a daughter, Clarissa "Carrie" (Chris) Tamvakis, both of Orlando.

Connie dedicated her career to teaching, which ranged from Special Education to Advanced Math. Affectionately known as Mrs K., she retired from Orlando's Conway Middle School in 2005. As evidence of her legacy in the field education that she loved, countless former students would tell her she was the best teacher they had experienced.

Connie was widely respected for her innovative and pioneer thinking. Upon Andy's diagnosis as a special needs child, doctors advised Connie and her husband to institutionalize their son. In unprecedented determination for the mid-1960s, she successfully advocated that Andy be raised in an environment no different from that of any other child -- and where he has since thrived. As far back as the mid-1970s, and in advance of the current mainstream thinking, Connie practiced living a healthy lifestyle that included walking daily with her beloved dogs, following an organic diet, working out at the YMCA , and practicing yoga.

Connie was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Maitland. In addition to her husband and children, Connie leaves her two granddaughters Alexis Tamvakis and Zoe Tamvakis; a sister Anne Thomas;, her brother-in-law John Harbilas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM on May 9, 2025 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland, Florida, 32751, with funeral services beginning at 11 AM. Interment will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood Street Orlando, Florida.  A reception will follow the internment at the Agape Ballroom at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

In Lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation in Connie's name to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or to Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital.