Presvytera Stavroula “Voula” Xenofanes passed away peacefully at her home in Galloway, New Jersey, on December 20, 2025, at the age of 87.
She was born on March 15, 1938, in Mystras, Greece, to Ioannis and Athanasia Vahaviolos. Stavroula grew up surrounded by extended family and close friends, alongside her beloved younger brothers, Apostolis and Sotirios. Those early years were shaped by strong family ties and the traditions that would remain central throughout her life.
While visiting family in the United States, she met Father George A. Xenofanes, whom she soon married. Following their marriage, she made New Jersey her home, building a life rooted in faith, service, and community. Presvytera Voula was a steady presence in parish life and remained deeply connected to her Greek Orthodox faith and heritage.
She worked for a time as a seamstress alongside her mother-in-law and later spent more than a decade employed at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals. Eventually, she and her husband settled near Atlantic City, where she faithfully served as Presvytera at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. In that role, she supported her husband’s ministry with humility, warmth, and quiet devotion.
Affectionately known as “Theia Voula” to her nieces and nephew, she was a loving and attentive aunt, remembered for her generous hospitality, her legendary dolmadakia, and her beautifully prepared Greek meals. She was also a trusted source of guidance, especially on matters of faith and tradition, often reminding family members of feast days, holidays, and customs with gentle care.
Presvytera Voula is survived by her sisters-in-law, Aspasia Vahaviolos and Eleftheria Xenofanes; her nieces Athanasia Tia (Nikolaos Koufakis) Vahaviolos, Stephanie Vahaviolos (Michael) Foglia, and Kristy Vahaviolos (Georgios) Kyriakopoulos; her nephew Tom (Rani) Xenofanes; and her cherished great-nieces and great-nephews Alexander, Maya, Alana, Melina, Peter, Nicholas Sotirios, Georgios Panagiotis, and Iliana.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Father George A. Xenofanes; her parents, Ioannis and Athanasia Vahaviolos; and her brothers, Apostolis and Sotirios Vahaviolos.
A morning visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 13 South Mount Vernon Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey, followed by funeral services. Burial will take place at Laurel Memorial Park Cemetery in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Stavroula Xenofanes to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Atlantic City.