In Memoriam: Ileana
In Memoriam: Ileana
Our dearest Ileana departed this world on Monday November 9th (11/9/20);
her memory shall always remain in our hearts….
~ Be sure to listen to her 3-minute interview with us ~
One of the brightest lights ever to shine in the renyoga community now shines in the skies of the cosmos – no longer here on earth. Ileana Kerasidis was verily our superhero. She could do anything and everything. And it is with much sadness that we now say goodbye to her earthly presence.
About Ileana’s Passing: On 11 August 2020, Ileana wrote and informed me that she had been diagnosed with 4th stage cancer that had spread throughout much of her body. As it turns out, she had multiple types of cancer; a diagnosis that truly puzzled the medical community. They wanted to know how such a healthy, active, “elderly” woman could have been walking around with numerous types of late-stage cancer. Ileana got the best medical care available, as her son is a physician and a respected member of the Georgetown medical community, but the cancer had spread too much.
I realize that this tragedy comes as a terrible shock, with no forewarning, but Ileana insisted that no one should worry about her or feel sorry for her. She wanted everyone to be joyous so she preferred to keep her diagnosis essentially private. Throughout the last few months of her life, she basked in the comfort and friendship of Julie and Vic (her close companions and next-door neighbors). They spent many days together. On October 7th, I did get opportunity to have an extended visit with Ileana on Julie and Vic’s front porch. It was a lovely gathering, and Ileana was as buoyant, charming, and vivacious as always, yet at the same time clearly a shadow of her former self as she moved very gingerly and slowly.
From August when I first heard of her diagnosis until my coming down to NC in late October for my mother’s medical crisis, I made numerous attempts and pleas with Ileana to see if she would share her diagnosis with a wider circle of people, but that was just not something that she wanted to do, and I respected her wishes – and never told a soul.
Of course, such a decision makes her passing an utter shock to those who knew and loved her. All I can offer is that this is what Ileana wanted – she never wished to burden anyone with sad news and wanted people to always remember the good times we were fortunate enough to share in her presence.
Ileana’s Approach to Life & Interview with Us: I could go on an on about Ileana’s remarkably positive outlook, and the dynamic manner in which she lived her life. There were her many returns to her native country of Greece, her famed 5-minute planks (verily she became the poster-child of the Plank Challenge), her magnetic personality, and so many other amazing attributions. Beneath it all lived a very sweet, caring, yet very private person who breathed her last on her own terms. She was approximately 85 at the time of her passing. Here is her must-listen interview with us from 2014.
Ileana is survived by her children and an army of lovely and accomplished granddaughters whom she proudly brought to class with her whenever their schedules allowed. Perhaps the best way to honor her is to simply march head-on in life with an unflinching belief that things will turn out for the best, and never worry when they don’t, just rallying within, seeking out the next greatest moment. Ileana sure knew how to string together a plethora of grand moments. My dear Ileana you shall be missed by all who had the good fortune to share some time with you on this earth, basking in your serene and joyous glow. Keep on shining – on and on!!!
Update 11/10/20 at 8:45am : Be sure to read the comment #4 below which is what Ileana wrote about yoga and life on her phone on 10/19/16.
You said it all. She was so heartwarming, bright and a role model for us all. She went on her own terms and I admire that.
The world lost a beautiful person, but her energy and influence is still with us,
Jean
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Ileana’s passing. She was such a graceful and strong presence in class each morning. Such an inspiration on how to live a beautiful life, “it’s a great day and tomorrow will be even better” I miss you Ileana and feel so fortunate to have known you. Shine on and on with love.
Ileana’s smile will truly be missed.
Here is what Ileana wrote about yoga on her phone on 10/19/16:
YOGA
I have many Passions. I love The sun and the Outdoors. I love Music and books. I Love gardening And cooking. But First and foremost: Yoga!
Nothing can Compare with my Love for Yoga and Walking.
I feel exhilarated Coming back from A brisk outdoor Walk or a good
Yoga session.
Breathing the Good air and filling My lungs with Oxygen makes me Feel good. After Exercising every Single muscle of My body at Yoga I
Feel rejuvenated.
And, I owed it all to My friend and Neighbor Julie who Re-introduced me
To Yoga and has Been a steady Companion in our Every day walks.
And I mean “every Day”. Rain or sun, Snow or ice we are Out there doing our Walk, admiring Nature”s beauty And future Gardening plans, I Had done Yoga Back in the mid 80s after two low Back surgeries Among a series of Other back Strengthening Therapies.
I knew Of its benefits. But As my back was Getting stronger And career and Family was Demanding more Of my time, I Stopped.
Personally I don’t Count calories or Steps. I count all The small every
Day experiences That are there for Me to enjoy.
They say “worst Than an empty life Is a life filled with Empty things”.
I start my day with A smile and the Anticipation of Good things to
Come. So I fill my Day by enjoying all The simple things I Am doing by
Making them Special.
Gardening, Yoga, Exercising, Cooking, even House cleaning. At
The end of the day I salute another Glorious day of my Life with a glass of Wine and a lot of Reflection.
I am blessed with Good genes, Wonderful, loving Family and great
Friends like Julie.
I live alone but I Never feel lonely. Me and I are good Friends. We have
No secrets from Each other. We Make plans for the Future and make
Sure we enjoy Carrying them out.
Last year it was a Cook book of my Favorite Greek Recipes that I
Published Dedicated to my Three Granddaughters.
This year Something else is In the works…
Having to do with Yoga and keeping Fit? Maybe.
I have an Imaginary Piggy Bank where I store Memories and Experiences that Will keep me Company when I Grow old! And YES, I will still be
Doing Yoga and Keep walking with Julie if not for the Shear pleasure but
As an antidote to Aging.
Who wants to get Old?
Dated 10/19/2016
So very sorry…
My heart is sad but also full of her spirit and her passion for life. She lived life on her own terms. She will be missed.
Beautiful …. What a beacon of joy and peace. Life lived in the simplicity of blessings cherished. A moral compass that Graced all whom she touched. I never met her unfortunately but in my Heart she is a Soul mate of my passed Mother. Precious Souls, very Grateful ….
What a crappy thing to wake up to. I loved Illeana so much. She exuded such wonderful energy and I loved being in her space. I have such great memories and that will keep me smiling. Everyone loved Illeana and that says everything about what a lovely person she was. Cheers to an amazing spirit.
Like so many others there is an emptiness in me today as I read of the passing of Ileana. I have lost track of the years Ileana and I have taken our places on the back row and edges of yoga classes, always joking that the “younger set” was trying to usurp our preferred places of privilege. Ileana established a standard for the challenges in yoga while I rationalized lower goals. Even so, she always inspired me to try just a bit harder in both the yoga challenges and the challenges of life in the senior years.
I am thankful that she had such a beautiful and positive life, and am especially thankful for her wonderful friendship with such a special neighbor as Julie. What a blessing, and one I am sure that Ileana held in her “Piggy Bank” of experiences.
Thank you Satyam, for the touching memorial that you shared with all of us who were fortunate to know Ileana through yoga. I think that she would have been pleased. May we all learn from her love of life and share it in this difficult time.
Our yoga classes will never be the same without Ileana. Thank you Satyam.
Wow, in some ways I think we all thought that Ileana would just keep going and going, like an energizer yogini. And dear Julie, and Satyam, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet, positive, sunny friend. I remember her from class at St James. When we all faced the kitchen, I could see her way on the other side of the hall, she will be missed by all!
I have been remembering Ileana all day, after waking up to Satyam’s beautiful tribute to her. She was, and remains, a role model in every way – more so now that I have read her message. I am only sorry I didn’t know her better. She was someone I always wished I could just sit down with and talk to for hours. She was a beautiful spirit. I’m glad to have known her even a little.
Ileana has been much on my mind and I would tell myself that one day we would see each other again in yoga and share more stories and laughter. This is a shock indeed. She was ageless it seemed and indeed she will always be so. What an inspiring woman. What a shining example of one who loved life and lived it her way. Always unassuming and at the same time imbued with such a strong presence. Graceful and strong. A beautiful soul whose earthly form will be sorely missed and yet I know that Ileana’s spirit will rest within me and all who knew her always.
How sad to read of Ileana’s passing but I know she had a wonderful and long life. She was such an inspiration to me in so many ways. Beautiful inside and out with a sunny, gracious way about her. I agree with Jeanie that she was truly ageless and I will always remember her & Julie smiling and laughing. She was radiant.
Few people have the ability and the desire to live their lives as an act of beauty. She did; it was a privilege to know her.
Beautiful tributes to a person whose inside beauty shone through every bit of her being.
Her light will shine on in those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Im so very sad to read this. I was a lucky person to workout next to her in absolute abs class. She was a such a sweet, warm beacon of sunlight.