Constance Manitzas

Connie Manitzas fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, after many weeks in Memorial Central hospital, and then while in Pikes Peak Hospice at Penrose St. Francis Hospital. She endured as best she could courageously and graciously. She was 79.

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7, at St. Andrew Orthodox Church. Visitation will begin one hour before the service, at St. Andrew.

Connie was born into a big Greek family of thirteen children, in North Chicago, Illinois, May 5, 1943, to parents Mary and Louis Botsios, who immigrated to the United States of America from the Peloponnese, Greece. Connie attended N. Chicago Community High School and loved being a cheerleader. She was also active in her church choir at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, where her family were members. She loved her childhood family remaining close to them. Connie is survived by five of her sisters, Georgia Kanios, Tula Mourafetis, Jenny Kireopoulos, Theodora Gerontakis, and Elaine Kerner, and all their families of many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children. She is fondly remembered as Aunt Connie who loved us.

Connie was married to Demetrios (Jimmy) Manitzas, of San Angelo, Texas in 1960, and together they raised three children, Sophia, Nick, and Louis Manitzas, in Dallas, Texas. They were proud seeing all three complete college, Sophia as a schoolteacher, Nick continuing on to become an anesthesiologist, and Louis as a financial businessman.

During her married and parenting years, Connie was an active member at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas and sang in the choir. She worked most of her adult life as a secretary and administrative assistant in civil service and city government offices. She was an avid reader, loved baking, enjoyed word and board games with family and friends, and loved to smile and give hugs.

Most of all, Connie loved becoming a grandmother. “Yiayia Connie" invested her love and time into her nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She would travel from Dallas to Boston, or Dallas to Austin or Waco, or to Colorado, and wherever her family was residing. She leaves us a dedicated legacy of love and selfless sacrifice as a woman, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and true friend to many throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her former husband of 28 years, Demetrios Nick Manitzas (Jonnie) of Little Rock, Arkansas; her daughter, Sophia (Fr. Dennis Schutte), of Colorado Springs; grandsons, David (and Allison) Schutte, stationed in Ft. Walton Beach Florida, Matthew (Molly) Schutte of Peyton Colorado, Nicholas (Sarah) Schutte of The Colony, Texas, and Alexander (Naomi) Schutte, stationed in Bossier City, Louisiana; her son, Louis Manitzas (Sandra), of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Nicky Manitzas, stationed in Germany; her daughter in law, Donna Manitzas (Nick), of Crawford, Texas; granddaughters, Ali Manitzas Rodriguez (David) of San Angelo, Sarah Manitzas, of Austin, and grandson, Paul Manitzas, of Waco. Connie was blessed also with nine great grandchildren: Joy, Noah, Reagan, Gabriel, Amelia, Samuel, Elianna, Isabella, and Leah, and number ten on the way.

In her great sorrow, she was preceded in death by the loss of her son Dr. Nick Manitzas of Waco in 2015; her grandson, Luke Manitzas, of Austin, in 2018; her parents, Louis and Mary; her brothers, Sammy, Bill, and Taki; and her sisters, Katie and Tina. We believe she is with them all, her loved ones who were waiting to welcome her home to be with her Lord where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering.

Connie spent her last few weeks receiving love and comfort, and gracious care from the dedicated nurses and staff of volunteers at the inpatient Pikes Peak Hospice. The words thank you are not enough to express our gratitude for their professional and truly spiritual care of Mama. The Holy ones walk, work, and live among us. We are grateful.

Connie is being gently cared for at Swan Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. She will be received by Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home. Her viewing and funeral will be announced in the days ahead and will be at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Woodway. Her burial will take place nearby at Stanford Chapel Cemetery where her son Nick is buried.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered in her name and memory to the inpatient Pikes Peak Hospice, 6th floor at Penrose; made to St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Woodway, Texas; or to Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thank you for your prayers for the servant of God, Constantina Botsios Manitzas. May her memory be eternal.