Eleni C. Stanifer

Eleni Christofield Stanifer, 59, passed away February 10, 2025 to lay at rest with her husband of nearly 30 years, the late Randy Stanifer. The most dedicated and loving mother that her children Peter and Angelique Stanifer could ever hope to have. Devoted daughter of Angeliki (Kiki) Christofield and the late Tex Christofield. Loving daughter-in-law of the late Patricia and Mack Stanifer. Loving sister to Joanna (Tom) Caneris and Connie (Gus) Georgostathis. Loving sister-in-law of Mack (Linda) Stanifer, Teresa Stanifer Curles, the late Sheila Margeson and Brent and Sharon Margeson. Proud and adoring aunt to Alexandra (Anthony Baker), Anthony (Regina) and Andrew Caneris, Dean, Angelika and Chloe Georgostathis, Krystal Curles and Tasha (Nathanial) Bellows, Josh and Andrew (Emma) Stanifer, Justin (Kassi) and Jeremy (Jessica) Margeson, and Tiffany (Nick) Gardner. Adoring great-aunt to the many great-nieces and great-nephews recently brought into the family. Proud and loving Godmother to Alexandra Henry. She also shared loving relationships with her son’s girlfriend, Michaela Therrien, and with many of her son’s and daughter’s closest friends, several of whom she became especially close with during college visits to Miami University, various travels and the annual Panegyri Greek Festival. Eleni was a passionate, caring and devoted friend to many who were so fortunate to get to know her.

Eleni was a Greek-Orthodox Christian who practiced her faith at the Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Until her husband’s passing in 2021, they could both be found supporting the church by chairing the “Spanakopita & Tiropita” booth at the church’s annual Panegyri Greek festival, a tradition she carried on with her family and dear friends after his passing. 

A graduate of Indian Hill High School, Eleni continued her education at the University of Cincinnati, where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. Eleni spent the majority of her working career at Central Trust Bank (eventually PNC Bank) and the Scholastic Corporation, where she made lifelong friends with whom she remained close until her passing.

Eleni found sanctuary at her Florida condo in Blue Mountain Beach. Walking distance from her sister Joanna’s condo, Eleni and her sister Connie shared in its purchase, with the goal of having a place where all three of the sister’s families could visit and stay close. The condo served as a place of respite during her husband Randy’s battle with cancer, and offered peace, solace and joy in the years since his passing. Many of her closest family members, friends and loved ones have joined her and her family at the condo. Eleni’s love for travel was not confined to Blue Mountain Beach. Last summer, she traveled to Greece for her nephew Anthony’s wedding, where she spent weeks with extended family, before visiting Spain with her daughter Angelique. She looked forward to celebrating Michaela’s upcoming baptism in Detroit, a 60th birthday trip to New York to see her favorite play Wicked, and other travels with her sister Connie and her dearest friends, for which she was in process of planning.

Eleni was admired for her strength and absolute devotion to those closest to her. Though certainly no slight to her strong personality, fierce nature and biting sense of humor, one of her greatest strengths was her selfless willingness to help loved ones while remaining in the background. Eleni was not someone who cared for the spotlight, nor was she someone who expected thanks for supporting those closest to her. You were likely to never hear about a gesture she made, positive word she said or favor she garnered, and that’s exactly how Eleni would want it. To her, the truest expression of love is love given without anything being received in return.

No mother supported her kids more than Eleni. She raised them to be tough and strong, and she never accepted anything from them less than their best. Yet, they could ask for no more nurturing of a presence. She loved kindly, she loved fiercely and she loved proudly. She would truly do anything for her children.

Eleni Stanifer will be forever remembered as a devoted wife, a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and Godmother, and a thoughtful and caring friend. To her children, however; she remains so much more. No passage of time will fill the void left by a loss so immense, from a woman who had so great an impact. They, as do all those who were closest to her, take solace knowing that she now rests peacefully in heaven with her husband, father and the loved ones that came before her.

May her memory be eternal.

Memorial donations can be made to Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (address below).

Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 2:00 PM-5:00 PM at Mueller Funeral Home (6791 Tylersville Road Mason, OH 45040) 

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025, from11:00 AM (Second visitation to occur at 10:00 AM immediately preceding the funeral service) at Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 7000 Winton Road Cincinnati, OH 45224.  Interment will immediately follow in Spring Grove Cemetery.  The family welcomes everyone back to the church with a catered meal.