Irene (Poulos) Pitsilos, 93, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Irene was born on May 14, 1931, in Bethlehem, PA to Nicholas George and Chryssa Emmanouil (Gialitaki) Poulos. Irene grew up in Bethlehem, PA in a close and loving family including her parents, her dear paternal grandparents George Nicholas and Filixia (Kamiorakis) Panagotopoulos, and her loving younger sister, Poppy Thelxiope (Poulos) Zizos.  Maternal grandparents were Emmanouil and Eirini (Mavromihelakis) Gialitakis.

Irene graduated from Fountain Hill High School in 1948 and Harcum Junior College in Bryn Mawr, PA. in 1950.  Upon graduation she worked for two years at the Bethlehem Globe Times as an advertising associate.

In Greek School, Irene met the “love of her life” George Pitsilos, who would become her beloved husband of 64 years. After her marriage to George in 1952 in the Lehigh University Chapel, the couple resided in Norfolk, Virgina while her husband served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Returning to Bethlehem in 1954, she opened The Spinning Wheel, a high-end retail gift shop, with its first location on Broad St.  She worked tirelessly to create a preeminent business patronized by the city’s most prominent and respected residents.  As The Spinning Wheel achieved more attention and notoriety, the couple unified and expanded the business to eight locations including gift shops at four Hershey hotels (The Hotel Hershey, The Hershey Motor Lodge & Convention Center, Hershey Philadelphia Hotel, The Hotel Hershey – Poconos), Whitehall Mall, Crest Plaza Shopping Center, and Hotel Bethlehem, while raising their two sons, A. George “A.G.” Pitsilos and Nicholas P. “Niko” Pitsilos.

Irene was an active member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral where she was a co-founding member of its Senior Citizens group.  Under their leadership, the group grew to over 150 people and met every second Monday of each month for a meal, where they engaged in various activities and fellowship. For many years Irene was an active volunteer with many local organizations.

For more than 50 years, Irene and her family were members of Saucon Valley Country Club, enjoying all aspects of the membership including golf, food and socializing with friends.  Some of her favorite memories included volunteering, spending time with her boys at the Club and summer vacations to the Jersey shore with her mother, sister and their families.  She also cherished her travels to Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and many more.

In retirement, Irene and George enjoyed living in Sarasota, Florida for 10 years and loved cooking, entertaining and eating out in fine dining establishments.

Irene was happiest when spending time with her family. She especially cherished her time spent with her three grandchildren.  Monday night dinners prepared each week by her grandson, Christopher, were always a treat.  She loved her weekly sleepovers with her granddaughter, Sarah, and loved attending all of Summer Joy’s various sporting events.  Irene was truly the heart of the home.  Her sense of hospitality, caring ways and warm presence anchored her family. A nurturing soul, Irene was a remarkably loving and a devoted mother, aunt and Yiayia. Her example of living an intentionally good life is a legacy her children and grandchildren hold dear.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents Nicholas G. and Chryssa E. Poulos and her husband George A. Pitsilos in 2016.

Irene is survived by her two son’s A. George Pitsilos (Lenore) and Nicholas Pitsilos, of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren, Christopher Pitsilos, Sarah Pitsilos and Summer Joy Pitsilos, all of Pennsylvania.  She is also survived by her sister, Poppy (Poulos) Zizos of Florida; nephew Gregg Zizos, two nieces Nicole Zizos Gulledge and Chryssa Zizos, her sister-in-law Evie (Pitsilos) Dectis and her sons Nicholas Dectis and Jack Dectis.

Services: Funeral Service will be held on Friday October  4, 2024, viewing 10AM to 11AM followed by the funeral service at 11AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 1607 West Union Blvd., Bethlehem, PA.  The burial will follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park Allentown, PA. Funeral arrangements Herron Funeral Home Bethlehem, PA. www.Herronfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the St. Nicholas Senior Citizens group or St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.