Irene Sifri (née Sakellarides) passed away on July 21, 2025, three hours before her 101st birthday.
A devout Greek Orthodox Christian, she was involved in the Greek Orthodox Community of Geelong’s, churches, organisations, and helped those in need.
Born in Jerusalem in 1924, Irene experienced firsthand the socioeconomic upheavals that followed the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, particularly for non-Israeli residents.
“They couldn’t find work. They were having to sell their homes, their communities were falling apart, and many families had to find a way out,” Mary Sifri, Irene’s daughter, told Neos Kosmos.
In 1952, Irene’s family made the “difficult decision” to move to Australia.
“One particular family that was close to my mother’s family had actually come out to Melbourne and they sort of said come and join us,” Mary said.
In Geelong, Irene became deeply involved with the church.
She supported churches and monasteries in both Australia and Jerusalem.
“Because my mother came from Jerusalem, she knew where to get some things that could be used in the church,” said Mary.
One of her most notable contributions was Panayia’s Lipsanothiki or Orthodox Reliquary Box which was hand embroidered and commissioned by nuns in Jerusalem in 1985.
Irene covered the full cost, arranged its shipment to Australia, and donated it to the Dormition of Our Lady in Geelong.
“She has always been generous and kind,” Mary said and added that her mother often donated to causes like Seeing Eye Dogs, Guide Dogs, and the Fred Hollows Foundation – as her grandmother had lost her sight.
In 1955, Irene married Henry Sifri, a Palestinian Orthodox Christian from Haifa, she met in Melbourne.
They had three daughters — Mary, Jennifer, and Katherine — and she also became a grandmother of five.
Irene’s beloved maternal aunt, Sister Theocliti, a nun in Jerusalem, often took the young Irene to churches and monasteries.
“This is where Irene’s deep devotion to all the Holy sites was fostered,” said Mary.
As a girl, Irene often visited sacred places such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, and the Mount of Olives.
She explored monasteries and churches with her close friend Nitsa, whom she’d met at one of the churches.
“That was their outings, that’s what they used to do. And they just lived their life in a very devout way,” Mary said.
Suzy Bourdamis, a member of the management committee of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Geelong, described Irene as a “very dignified” and “compassionate” woman.
“You could tell that she had a very different upbringing … She always stood out from the rest,” Bourdamis told Neos Kosmos.
Irene “fostered a really close friendship” with Bourdamis’s mother, Angela.
“She gave my mother a beautiful Mother-of-Pearl icon from Jerusalem of the Eisodo ston Panagio Tafo (Entrance to the Holy Sepulchre), with a note on the back.”
“Mama was really touched,” Bourdamis remembers.
She also notes that for Irene Sifri, “church was more than just the spiritual.”
It was also about “social connections,” which she deeply valued.
Below is a tribute to Irene Sifri from her daughters Mary, Jenny, and Kathy:
“Our Mother Irene was born on 22nd July 1924 in Jerusalem, Palestine. She passed away on 21st July 2025, three hours before her 101st birthday.
Her parents were George and Maria Sakellarides and she had a sister Argiri and a brother Larry.
The whole family moved to Melbourne in 1952. A seamstress by trade, Irene quickly became involved with other seamstresses in the Greek community, and she continued sewing for decades until arthritis & eyesight made it too difficult.
“In February 1955 Irene married Henry Sifri and moved to Geelong, where she had 3 daughters – Mary, Jennifer & Katherine. And she now has five grandchildren.
“A gentle and kind lady, she was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian – the most important things in her life were her faith, her family, relatives and close friends.
“She was loving, forgiving and generous – regularly donating to charities, and to Monasteries in Jerusalem and here.
“Our Mother Irene also loved to share stories of her childhood which she described as “magical”. She grew up close to her many cousins and was very close to and adored spending time with her grandmother Irini, after whom she was named.
“She would often also share memories of The Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. A very special place where Irene would spend a lot of time in her younger days. So much so, that her mother would say “What, are you planning to become a nun!?”
Irene was a homebody who loved cooking, gardening & caring for her family and those around her needing support.
“Always giving thanks and gratitude to God for her blessed and fulfilled life.
She was a wonderful mother, friend and confidante, and will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Mama.
Your loving daughters Mary, Jenny & Kathy.”
