Obituary of Joanne "Noula" Hondros
Joanne “Noula” Hondros, nee Vardamaskos, age 75, of Plainfield, Illinois, loved and diligently cared for by her family, passed on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, William “Bill” Hondros. Beloved, fiery and incredibly adored mother to Maria (John) Treanor; deeply cherished and revered grandmother, “Yiayia”, to Stefano and Andrew Treanor; sister of Thalia Vardamaskos, Stefano (Dina) Vardamaskos, and the late Sotiri (Angela) Vardamaskos; sister-in-law to Angelo (Francis) Hondros, the late Dimitri (Toni) Hondros, and the late George (the late Katina) Hondros; treasured aunt, cousin and friend to many in the U.S., Greece and Canada.
Born June 11, 1949, to Panagiotis and Niki (Giatra) Vardamaskos, Joanne grew up in a small village near Sparta, in the Peloponnese of Greece. In 1970, she was introduced to her kind husband-to-be, Bill Hondros. The couple wed in Greece and shortly afterwards, left for the United States in hope of achieving success and prosperity, and a life better than what they had known.
After arriving to the U.S., they had their daughter, Maria, who quickly became, and forever maintained, the largest real estate in their hearts. Noula’s everything was Maria, only to be later rivaled by the great respect and love for her son-in-law, John, and her two favorite humans, her grandsons, Stefano and Andrew.
Noula loved life. She was passionate, head strong and incredibly spirited, outgoing and social. She could work hours in her flower garden that served as her oasis to a life of incredible joy, yet not without her share of trials and challenges.
She loved God, family, her community of friends, and her grandpuppy, Lola. She also loved traveling, fashion, and living a full life. Knowing Noula, you knew her force and standout beauty. At a community celebration, you could count on her being the first in line for the dessert table and the last to leave the dance floor. However, you may not have known that having persevered a difficult start to life, she was mindful to deflect the talk of others. And, that behind her wall of intensity, there lived a tremendous heart.
Please join us as we pray for life eternal for Noula, filled with the radiance of our Lord, (and every sweet treat imaginable along the way!)
Visitation for Joanne Hondros will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m., at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway, Joliet, IL 60435. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
