Andrea Ziouras

Andrea Ziouras forever loves her children, Yianni, Alexander and Stella, more than anything in the universe because they are gloriously, perfectly themselves.  She passionately loves her devoted husband, Michael, even if he didn’t pass along her favorite curls to the children.  She deeply loves her family and friends because they let her be her silly self and let her bring them joy.  On January 12, 2016, Andrea left her children, family and friends as one form to join them in another as pure love.

Ever since she was born in Salt Lake City on October 24, 1973, Andrea has been an avid student of life. She breezed her way through Preston High School, cheerleading and dancing along the way while leading the gifted and talented class. Deciding that life was getting a bit quiet, Andrea became Ms. Franklin County before earning her Baccalaureate in Science from the University of Utah. Meeting Michael managed to interrupt Andrea’s plan to continue her formal education but so began their journey together in life’s classroom.

Andrea marvels at the richness, complexity, completeness, and sheer beauty of the world. The science and artistry of her children spark her creativity. Andrea’s closest bosom buddy, Emily –  insightful, present, festive, and loving – is a daily gift and splendid fellow traveler along this journey. She is amused and not at all surprised that she never has to say to her husband, "You're not fun anymore." Andrea swoons with a bursting heart watching her children merely walk down the street, excel at their sports, sleep, laugh, talk, read, sing, and breathe. They are true wonders.

Gratitude encompasses Andrea. She feels positively grateful for her lucky, happy life; for her adored and astonishing children and husband; for her parents Mike, Christy, Louis and Donna; for her siblings Emily, Sarah, Lucas, Christian, Preston, Brooke and Shelby; for her nieces Isabelle, Kianna and Sophie; for her nephews Aeden, Liam, Atticus, Roman and Bryce; for the enchanting and cheering dynamic duos, Marcie and Tom Conner and Karissa and Christopher Horowicz; for her extended family; for the numerous dearest, funniest, most generous friends possible; for stunning Greek beaches; for hugs that happen for no good reason; for church bells in the distance; for TJ Maxx and Target; for the color red when it’s vibrant and deep; for books themselves-capable of being lovingly dog-eared and shared, hand-to-hand; for traveling; for companion animals; for the vast variety of flowers, and especially gardenias; for White Chocolate, triple-shot lattes with no-fat milk at Starbucks; for the bumper stickers that make her stop and think; for the underdog; for sharing a love of Iron and Wine’s Jezebel with her children and dancing with Chris Isaak; for hummingbirds; for the beauty, magic and safety of home; for waterfalls; for British television; for being a hospice provider for wonderfully interesting people; for pie, fabulous pie; for those who right wrongs; for walking in the rain; for teachers inside and outside of the classroom; for holding hands; for art in all its daily manifestations; for countless opportunities to love, grow, fail, struggle, succeed, reflect, create, and laugh; for life.  As joy comes from gratitude, Andrea is unabashedly joyful.

This is what she knows: that when you least feel like it, do something for someone else; that learning requires a willingness to be bad at something for a while, and that is okay; that love must be outwardly shared and compassion acted upon; that people who deeply listen and closely observe radiate light from within and access their empathy; that sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy; that it is indeed later than we think; that full engagement in the shining, startling now is pleasure waiting to be had.  Those wishing to make a contribution to the world on Andrea’s behalf can do something kind, unexpected and wonderful for someone, anyone, and in sharing themselves, become just like Andrea.

Please join us in continuing to celebrate selflessness in all of its beauty at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, on Monday, January 18, 2016. Trisagion Service will begin at 6:00 p.m.; friends and family may gather through 9:00 p.m. Please use the complimentary valet parking provided on the south side of the building. A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, on Tuesday, January 19th at 11:00 a.m. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

In lieu of sorrow, express your love. Smile when the people you cherish enter a room. Let them see your eyes light up. Again and again. And again. And remember Andrea.