Ellen Louise Kourtsis, 85, of Star City, passed away peacefully on Friday July 23, 2021, at the Madison Center nursing home. She was born in Morgantown on Aug. 11, 1935, to the late Louis Bako and Ann (Belan) Bako.
Ellen graduated from University High School, Class of 1953.
Ellen was a people person who never met a person she didn’t like. Her working career was dedicated to the public, and, upon graduation, she was employed at the Clover Farm Store in Star City for nine years. In 1962, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked for Group Health Association as a dental technician. Ellen returned to West Virginia in 1978 and worked as a bank teller for 26 years at Farmers & Merchants, One Valley and BB&T Banks, making many life-long friends.
Ellen devoted her life to raising two sons and enjoyed her later years watching her two grandsons grow up. She was a faithful member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church and was very involved with many activities at the parish. She will sadly be missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by two sons, Chris and Amy Kourtsis, of Charles Town, and Cory and Carol Kourtsis, of Morgantown; one granddaughter, Amanda Strong, of Pittsburgh; two grandsons, Daniel and Nico Kourtsis, of Morgantown; one sister, Sue Rutledge and husband Nick, of Parkton, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ann Phillips and husband Robert, of Monaca, Pa.; mother and father-in-law, Helen and Nick Kourtsis, of Morgantown; sister-in-law and husband, Goldie and John Lanos, of Wheeling; niece, Stephanie Lanos, of Wheeling; and Aunt Ila Belan, of Norton.
Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 1, and will continue at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Ave., Star City, from 10-11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 2, with Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. John McDonough as celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ellen’s memory to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Ave., Star City, WV 26505.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
