Obituary of Berthe Kouroublakis
CLICK TO VIEW Berthe's celebration of life.
CLICK TO VIEW Berthe's life celebration video
Born September 3, 1939, Berthe Kouroublakis died peacefully at Strong Memorial Hospital after a brief illness on August 16, 2019.
She was predeceased by Father, Vasilis Kouroublakis; Mother, Irene Kouroublakis; Brother, Petros Kouroublakis and Nephew George Litos.
Survived by her loving Siblings, Maria Kouroublakis (Sister in Law), Sofia & Constantine Litos, Michael & Sofia Kouroublakis and John & Pothiti Kouroublakis; Nieces and Nephews, Vasilis P. & Christina Kouroublakis, Sofia P. & John Chalkias, Michael & Maria Litos, Irene & Constanine Harokopos, Vasilis & Maria Litos, Vasilis M. & Sofia Kouroublakis, Minas Kouroublakis, Anthoula & John Koulouriotis, Sofia J. & Vasilis Chalkias and Vasoula & John Christodoulakis; Great Nieces and Nephews, Petros V. Kouroublakis, Maria & Foula Chalkias, Ioanna & Sofia Pothiti Harokopos, Constantine & Sofia Litos, Maria & Irene Kouroublakis, Nikitas & Michael Koulouriotis, Emmanuel & Pothiti Chalkias; Beloved friends Danny Patarino & Gary Vardabash and many other loving friends and colleagues.
Berthe was born during WWII in Greece, where she experienced wartime deprivation. She moved with her family to the United States when she was 7-8 years old. From childhood, she had a fascination with various cultures around the world which developed into her love of languages, peoples, art, folklore, and customs. She pursued language teaching, a profession that embodied her interests. She earned her MA degree at New York University.
After teaching Spanish and German as an Assistant Professor at SUNY Oswego, she came to the University of Rochester where she was a Senior Lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. She also taught at St. John Fisher College, SUNY Geneseo, and other area colleges.
While at the University of Rochester, Berthe developed and directed the Oaxaca Program, bringing students to Mexico for an extended visit each summer. She was also invited by the Director of the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca to give workshops on language-teaching techniques for teachers there.
After her retirement in 2011, Berthe traveled often to visit her family in Greece. Being around family, friends, and good food was her greatest joy and contentment. Berthe is remembered as a dedicated teacher, a thoughtful gift-giver, a talented cook, a doting great aunt, an inveterate traveler, a news junkie, and a faithful friend.
A service in Berthe’s memory will be held at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. (3325 Winton Road South, Rochester, New York 14623 VIEW MAP) Saturday, September 21st, guests will be received at 10 am with services beginning at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Berthe’s memory may be made to WXXI Public Broadcasting Council (280 State Street, P.O. Box 30021, Rochester NY 14603-3021 DONATE ONLINE).