Helen Amprazis

Clemmons - With a vigor for life matched by her exuberant love for family, Mrs. Helen Amprazis, 70, passed away peacefully Saturday night at her Clemmons home, with relatives by her side. She bravely battled brain cancer for two years. Helen was born on the island of Andros, Greece, to parents Demetri and Maroulio Mandarakas in 1941. Helen immigrated to the United States as a teenager. She met her husband Hercules, also a Greek immigrant, in New Jersey in 1958. The hard-working couple established a thriving diner business and a beautiful life filled with family and friends before moving to Clemmons in 2001 to be closer to their only daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. Helen's contagious laughter and playful personality exuded an undeniable warmth to everyone near her. For seven years, she was the sassy ""Mama"" with the big heart at Lisa's Diner in Winston-Salem, scooping customers into hugs just as often as she dished out delicious homemade soups and daily specials. Her natural ability to develop rapport with all people led to close-knit ties throughout her life with friends, relatives and community. She opened her home to everyone. Helen was an active member in the Greek Orthodox Church. Despite hardships during her illness, Helen maintained an energetic presence and tenacious, unwavering spirit. She was moved by others' strength and joy-both characteristics she humbly possessed herself. Helen lived a rich and full life surrounded by loved ones, constantly making sure to care for others, even in her final days. She enjoyed dancing to the Greek island violin melody, especially with her granddaughters, with whom she was very close. They remain grounded in memories of their ""yiayia"", reminding them of where-and who- they come from. Helen had the opportunity to travel in the last two years to visit her home village, family and friends in Greece and New Jersey. She celebrated holidays, weddings, birthdays and baptisms surrounded by dancing, love and laughter. Helen is survived by her loving and grateful family: husband Hercules Amprazis, daughter Lisa Bouloubasis and son-in-law Gus, granddaughters Victoria and Elina Bouloubasis of Clemmons, N.C.; seven siblings: Laskaro Mandarakas, George Mandarakas and his wife Anna, Anna Daniolou, Maria Harharos and her husband Michael, Zafiroula Tsilionis and her husband Demetri, Nick Mandarakas and his wife Valerie, and Adam Mandarakas and his wife Georgia; and her special nieces, who often referred to her as a second mother: Maria Dolinsky, Sophia Stathis, Lisa Cosmas and Marie Prokos. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday at the Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. Demetri Kangelaris and Fr. Thomas Guerry officiating. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church with the Trisagon service at 7:30 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, W-S, N.C. 27104 or to Hospice and Palliative Care, 101 Hospice Lane, w-S, N.C. 27103. On behalf of Helen Amprazis, the family would like to thank Dr. Tom Ellis, Dr. Michael Chan, Dr.Glenn Lesser, nurse Jennifer MacLean and the team at WFU Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center; nurses Jennifer Cohen, Tammy Furr and the Hospice team. A sincere thank you to Father Demetri Kangelaris and Father Thomas Guerry for their love, guidance and support. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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