Voula G. Manis

Voula G. Manis, 98, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully in Fayetteville, NC on August 2, 2024.

Voula was born in Bluefield, WV in 1925, but emigrated back to her familial home in Nafpaktos, Greece in 1932.  After weathering the Great Depression and World War 2, Voula would eventually return to the United States and marry George C. Manis in Wilmington, DE on November 14th 1948.

While Voula and George would begin their married life in Bluefield, WV, they would eventually settle back in Wilmington, DE in 1956 to ensure that their three children were raised close to the Greek Orthodox Church.  Together, Voula and George opened the Towne Wharf Restaurant in March 1973.

Those who were privileged enough to know Voula, knew what was important to her.  She prioritized family and the Greek Orthodox Church over everything else, showcasing her passion for both with tenacious zeal.  She rarely missed a chance to attend church (or remind her grandchildren to attend) and, like clockwork, she had her pew in the Holy Trinity Greek Church (Wilmington, DE) where she was a fixture.  When it came to her family, she was steadfast in her dedication.  She was quick with a call on birthdays and namedays and never missed a chance to dance a “Tsamiko” at a familial wedding – most recently at her granddaughter’s (Kaliopi Triantafellou) wedding, at the spry age of 94.

She loved taking care of her plants, whether they were real or fake and she spent enough time watching some of “her stories” (soap operas) to surpass most regular human lifespans.  Despite being very proper and reserved, she had a biting quick wit when something made her laugh and was just as quick to physically bite her lower lip, if you disappointed her (or said something that she’d find off-putting, albeit still funny).  She was both caring and judgmental in the way only a Greek “Yiayia” can muster.  The only thing that eclipsed her stubborn resolve, was the ferocity with which she loved those around her.

Voula was preceded in death by husband George C. Manis and son John G. Manis and by father John C. Kapordelis, mother Helen Kapordelis, brothers Harry J. And Charles J. Kapordelis, sisters Theone Pantazis and Stella Yankoglu.

She is survived and loved by son Charles G. Manis and wife Donna Kiki (Parrous) Manis of Fayetteville, NC, Katherine (Manis) Rose and husband Michael G. Rose of Ewing Township, NJ and nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10:30AM followed by the funeral service at 11:30AM both held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 N Broom Street, Wilmington, DE, 19806 on August 17, 2024. Voula will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington, DE, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington, DE.