Irene Vastardis, 85, of Holmdel, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Her beloved son, Thomas and beloved daughter, Maria surrounded her bedside at the time of her passing. She was born on January 18, 1936 in Episkopion, Andros, Greece to Thomas and Athena Politis. After WWII, in 1946, she and her Mother boarded the Liberty Ship in Rome, Italy and arrived in New York to be reunited with her Father, who fought in WWII. They first lived in the Bronx and then moved to Brooklyn. She graduated from Sara J. Hale Vocational High School and began her trade as a dressmaker in Manhattan.

In 1957, she married her loving husband, Emmanuel Vastardis and moved in 1966 to East Brunswick and was a member of St George Greek Orthodox Church in Piscataway. In 1987, she relocated to Colts Neck where she continued to raise her family with much care and love and was a member of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Holmdel. In 2004, Irene and Emmanuel moved to Holmdel to retire. During the winter months, they enjoyed traveling to their timeshare in St Martin. In the summer, they loved returning to their home in Episkopion, the village where both of them were born. They spent 49 years together before his untimely passing in 2006.

A true matriarch of her family, she unselfishly gave herself to all and was committed to caring for and raising her family. She was a special, sweet lady who was gracious and kind to all who knew her. She adored her family and celebrated life with her many friends and family. Irene was blessed with a green thumb and enjoyed tending to her flowers and garden. She loved cooking and baking for everyone. We all fondly remember her delicious Pastichio, Moussaka, Spanakopita, and all time favorite Stuffed Tomatoes.

During the holidays, her grandchildren looked forward to receiving her special Greek cookie tin box of Koulourakia, Kourambiethes, and Finikia. Her Greek Hellenic religious heritage guided her principles and inspired others during her life. All that knew her, loved her. She immeasurably contributed and donated her time to the Greek Orthodox Churches of Piscataway and Holmdel. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

She is predeceased by her husband Emmanuel Vastardis, her parents, her son James Vastardis, and brother John Politis. Surviving are her son Thomas and his wife Barbara Vastardis of East Brunswick, daughter Maria Vastardis of Long Branch, her brother Steve Politis, and two loving grandchildren Andrew and Lucas.

Visitation Monday, November 29th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel.  Second visitation on Tuesday, November 30th from 10:30 – 11:30am followed by Mass at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel.  Burial will follow at Washington Monumental Cemetery, South River.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, please consider making a donation in Irene’s name to Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel, NJ  07733.

For messages of condolence or to share a favorite memory of Irene, please visit her tribute page at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.