Phyllis Helen Afendulis

Afendulis, Mrs. Phyllis Norton Shores, Michigan Phyllis Helen "Fotene" Afendulis, age 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15th 2020, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936 to William and Theresa Gianopoulos, immigrants from Greece. She was the youngest of six children. After graduating from Austin High School in Chicago, Phyllis attended St. Basil Academy in Garrison, New York, where she began her professional training as an educator and Greek School teacher. After graduating from St. Basil's, she worked as the church secretary and the head of the Greek school at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Detroit, Michigan. She returned to Chicago, finished her bachelor's degree in education at Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College, and also completed a master's degree in education at Roosevelt University. She taught first grade in Broadview, Illinois, and also Greek school in Skokie,Illinois. In 1963, she met her future husband Deno Afendulis of Muskegon, MI, and they were married at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago in 1964. The big city girl made her way to Muskegon, and she and Deno started a family together. Daughter Nikki came first, then her two boys James and Chris, and last but not least her baby girl Teresa. She was also devoted to her in-laws, the late James and Sophia Afendulis, and to her brothers-in-law Alex and Ted. She balanced her child-rearing duties with an active religious life, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Muskegon. Phyllis was a deeply spiritual person, devoted to Christ and His church. She was active in the Daughters of Penelope, the Ladies Philoptochos Society, and as the head for many years of the church Sunday School. She was also active with the Muskegon chapter of the American Association of University Women. When her children were a bit older, she returned to the work force as an educator: first as a tutor, and then as a teacher in the Adult Education program in Muskegon Public Schools. This work in the second phase of her career brought her immense professional and personal satisfaction. In her later years, she devoted herself to the care of her daughter Nikki during her illness. The two biggest sources of joy in her life were her two grandchildren. Her grandson Costa arrived first, and her granddaughter Eleni made her entrance soon after. She was happiest when she spent time with them, from feeding them baby food well after they were babies, to conversations together in the family room, and lots of hugs and kisses and special cooking. Costa and Eleni will always remember their Yiayia's amazing cooking, especially her koulourakia! Frequent trips to Chicago kept her closely connected to her siblings, and to her many nieces and nephews, whom she adored: they adored their "Auntie Nini" just as much in return. She also loved her seven godchildren. SURVIVORS Phyllis is survived by her sons James and Chris (Claudine Gay), daughter Teresa Micheil (Richard), her grandson Costa Gay-Afendulis, and her granddaughter Eleni Micheil. She was preceded in death by her husband Deno, daughter Nikki (Mike Gutowsky), sisters Constance (the late Chris), Antoinette (the late Pete), Stella, and Niki (the late Sam), and brother Peter. She is also survived by her dear childhood friend Katherine Demakis of Falls Church, Virginia. The family would like to express its gratitude to longtime family friend Kathy Wilks and the staff at Poppen House for the compassionate care that they provided to our mother. SERVICE Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 11:00 AM at Annunication Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. John Sakellariou officiating. Internment in Norton Cemetery. Social distancing and masks are required at both the visitation and service per the family's request. VISITATION One hour prior to the service at Church. MEMORIAL: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Phyllis' memory to St Basil Academy, 70 St. Basil's Road, Garrison, NY 10524. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook. Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon Visitation Annunication Greek Orthodox Church 185 E Pontaluna Road Norton Shores, MI 49444 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Service Annunication Greek Orthodox Church 185 E Pontaluna Road Norton Shores, MI 49444 11:00 AM