Eva Manuel

Eva Manuel passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024, with her two devoted daughters surrounding her with love in her final moments. She was a force of nature and transitioned into her eternal life with the same strength she showed during her 93 years.

Eva was born on November 15, 1930, in Thessaloniki, Greece, where she grew up with her parents and two siblings. Despite living through the wars, her resilience and determination allowed her to remain active in school, keep up with her religious studies, and foster a close-knit circle of friends. She studied literature and French at the prestigious University of Thessaloniki, which was unheard of for women of her generation.

In 1955, Eva met and married the love of her life, Vasili. Their love story flourished through letters, sent 5,000 miles across the Atlantic. Eva moved to the United States where she immediately became a citizen, got a driver’s license, and embraced the ways of suburban American life – without losing her Greek roots.

She would always cherish her trips back to Greece to be with family and friends – and brought the traditions she held dear to her home in Waldwick, New Jersey, where she raised her two children and lived happily for more than 60 years. Her house was often filled with good company and laughter, hosting parties or dinners around her table, where she believed all the world’s problems could be solved with a good meal, glass of wine, and interesting conversation.

One of her greatest impacts was passing on the love of the Greek language to her students, specifically to her adult ones. Eva often joked she was the only Greek school teacher who was beloved by her students, getting invited to weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations. She especially found joy in helping her students compose letters to their future spouses or in-laws.

She was also tremendously proud of being a founding family of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey, where she was a parishioner for decades, active member of the Philoptochos and Kali Parea, and charitable steward – firm in her faith and work of the church. The church became her home away from home and the relationships she made there were some of the ones she cherished most.

Eva would never miss an opportunity to spend time with her six grandchildren and beautiful great granddaughter. She attended school concerts, art shows, basketball games, swim meets, and graduations – always looking stylish in an outfit she hand-sewed or carefully selected from Lord & Taylor. Her joy in those moments was palpable and she always remarked, “how lucky I am! How lucky I am!”

She encouraged all of them to reach higher, study more, and accomplish their wildest dreams. She set the example by always following her heart, harnessing her passions, setting her mind on something, and doing all that she could to make it happen.

Eva is survived by her two children, Cleo Manuel (Roger) Krueger and Eugenia (Jon Zymaris) Manuel; her sister, Eugenia Georgiadis; her six grandchildren, Alexander (Myra Blake) Krueger, Stefan Krueger, Catherine Zymaris, Eva (Joe Glauber) Zymaris, Dean Krueger, and Zoe Krueger; her great granddaughter, Fauna; and extended family and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Kleoniki and Kostas Kyrkopoulos; her brother, Andreas Kyrkopoulos; and her beloved husband, Bill (Vasili) Manuel, with whom she shared many wonderful years.

Visitation hours will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Vander Plaat Funeral Home on Godwin Avenue in Wyckoff, New Jersey. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Grandview Avenue in Wyckoff, New Jersey. All are welcome to celebrate Eva’s life and memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church or Eva’s Village in Paterson, New Jersey.

“I love you. I love you. I love you.”

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