Irene Canaris

CANARIS, IRENE “RENE”, 71, of Manahawkin, N.J., passed away peacefully on August 31, 2020, at 7 pm, at home, after a life well lived.  She was born in Jersey City, (February 27, 1949).  She was the beloved daughter of Minnie (Pors) and Peter Canaris, and survived by her sister Pat (Canaris) Romero residing in Hackensack, her niece and Goddaughter Christina Mihalitsianos.  Irene was also Nouna to Michael, Anthony, Valentina and Lorenzo Mihalitsianos.  She was truly loved by her step children, Jami, Elva, Brett and Alena as well as their children, Jordan, Ethan, Jackson, Holton, Lena, and Wyatt.  Rene will be greatly missed by so many dear cousins, true friends and soulmates, too many to name.

As a member of Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church of Jersey City, she was very active with the Goya, Daughters of Penelope and Maids of Athena locally, statewide and nationally throughout the bulk of her life.  Irene was known as a person of integrity, compassion for all she came in contact with and possessed an undeniable love of beaches and dogs.  Her occupations were numerous throughout her lifetime but the one role we all knew her as was a Holistic Healer of Life itself with her burning passion to help others.  The day after she passed, while in Irene's backyard with Christina D. Romero-Mihalitsianos, my daughter, my grandkids and my son in law, Christina noticed two beautiful caterpillars in her herb garden...she immediately decided to restore her backyard to its old glory and create a butterfly habitat and dedicate it to Nouna.  We all got excited about the proposal...then twin Michael yelled out look at that, pointing to the fig tree.  It was a black butterfly with blue and white on her tail.  It hovered around and around the tree as the 7 of us watched in awe, before flying straight up...a new fence, flowers, hummingbird feeders, and of course the butterfly sanctuary...our hopes are to complete it within a year and we will have a Memorial for Irene, at her house, in the backyard.  If anyone is interested in adding something, send us your suggestion and we will try to include it in her garden.  We are also purchasing a garden gazing ball, with a plaque...contact Christina Mihalitsianos, 209A Westervelt Place, Oradell, N.J., 07649, or call 551-404-0515.  WOOD FUNERAL HOME, 134 EAST MAIN ST., TUCKERTON, N.J. is handling the arrangements.  

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