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.

Eulogy for Mom

I am here today to honor and celebrate the life of my beloved mother, Connie. Thank you all for being here to remember her and the incredible impact she had on all of our lives.

For 56 years, I had the privilege of calling Connie my mom. She was a beacon of light in this world, known for her kindness, joyfulness, and unwavering strength. Her beautiful smile could light up any room, and her welcoming nature ensured that no one remained a stranger for long.

One of my earliest memories of Mom is her pulling my brother and me in a little red wagon across A1A to Cocoa Beach. This memory encapsulates so much of who she was – adventurous, caring, and always ready for fun. Her love for the beach was a constant throughout her life, even though, ironically, she couldn't swim.

Mom's zest for life was evident in everything she did. She loved gardening, taking her dogs for three-mile walks every morning, practicing yoga, and enjoying a glass or two of chardonnay during happy hour. But more than any hobby or pastime, what brought Mom the most joy was her family and friends. She had an incredible gift for making everyone feel welcome and valued.

At the heart of Mom's life was her extraordinary 60-year marriage to my father. Their enduring love and commitment to each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. Through six decades of ups and downs, they stood by each other, creating a foundation of love that nurtured our entire family.

I remember an engagement party she threw for my cousin Nick and his fiancée Callie. A couple of people crashed the party, but true to form, Mom didn't mind one bit. "The more the merrier" was her mantra, and she embraced unexpected guests with the same warmth she showed to those she'd known for years.

Mom's strength and resilience were never more apparent than in her role as a mother. Her firstborn, my brother, was born with special needs. She took on this challenge with incredible courage, allowing him to live as normal a life as possible despite his limitations. Thanks to her unwavering love and support, my brother is still thriving today at 58 – a testament to Mom's dedication and care.

As a teacher, Mom touched countless lives beyond our family. She loved her students and continued to reconnect with them long after she retired. Her impact on their lives is a beautiful part of her legacy.

Even when faced with the cruel reality of Alzheimer's, Mom's indomitable spirit shone through. She never let it dampen her joy or her laughter. In fact, one of our most precious recent memories is from her birthday earlier this year. To our amazement and delight, she joined us in singing "Happy Birthday," a moment that touched us all deeply.

Mom would want to be remembered as a fun, strong, and kind person – and that's exactly how she'll live on in our hearts. Her strength, humor, and courage were the cornerstones of her character, qualities I can only hope to embody half as well as she did. To my dear Mom: We all love you and miss you terribly. Your laughter, your strength, and your love continue to inspire us. We're all looking forward to sharing that glass of wine with you in heaven when we meet again. As we say goodbye, let's remember the joy Connie brought to our lives. Let's honor her memory by embracing life with the same warmth, strength, and laughter that she showed us. And let's carry forward the lessons she taught us – to face challenges with courage, to welcome others with open arms, and to always find reasons to smile.

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate Mom's life. Your presence would have meant the world to her, just as it does to our family. In Mom's spirit, let's continue to cherish each other and spread the love and joy she so generously shared with the world.