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April 15, 2014

Irene M. Passios

Private Service

Irene M. Passios left her family and friends on Tuesday April 15th at 90 years young. 

Born in Framingham MA, she was the daughter of Nicholas Moskos and Ethel (Dickie) Moskos. She outlived her sister Mary Hyfantis and brother Peter Moskos.  A product of the depression, Irene learned by example from her father who supported people by feeding them in his restaurant; Irene supported others throughout her life.  She graduated from Fitchburg State Teachers College and first taught in Jamestown Rhode Island. During these war years she met fellow Fitchburg Alumni Thomas C Passios, a Bronze Star veteran of WWII, who became the love of her life, her husband, and father to their five children. She and Tom settled in Lunenburg MA, he as the principal of the school now named in his honor, and Irene as a classroom teacher in the training school of FSC. Later having received her Masters, she became a professor in the School of Education. She was part of a team who wrote an innovative program for the training of early childhood teachers. She also taught courses at Boston College. Her passion in education was the arts and the tenets of Maria Montessori; she inspired many a teacher to incorporate these ideas in their teaching. She was admired by her colleagues and students. While she lost Tom too early in life, she kept her inimitable Greek spirit.  Irene began visiting schools all over the world, traveling with friends and spending her summers in Australia with her first grandchildren. When Irene left the profession as Professor Emeritus, she had been teacher and mentor to hundreds of future teachers, some of whom have kept in touch to this day.  Irene was a pianist; an inveterate lover of antiques, travel, shopping and all things Greek. Everyone who knows her has been introduced to baklava! Irene was a classy lady with a beautiful smile that we will remain with us always!

More than anything Irene, known as Yiayia, loved her family and was blessed to be able to know her latest great grandchild. Many fond stories will be carried forward through the generations by friends, her nieces and nephews, and her children, and theirs, who live in all corners of the world: Kathy (Passios) & John Goble of Australia; Tom & Kathy Passios of San Diego CA; David Passios of Lunenburg; Charlie & Fran Passios of Cape Cod and Jim and Michelle Passios of Hingham MA and their families which include 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. 

Irene’s life was celebrated in a mass at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Fitchburg, MA followed by internment at North Cemetery in Lunenburg MA, rejoining her with the love of her life.

To honor Irene, donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek  Orthodox Church C/O Sunday School Education Program, 1319 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.