Jennifer Lynn Koutouras, 45 (8/16/1971 - 9/7/2016)

Born Jennifer Lynn Harrison on August 16, 1971 in Dubuque, Iowa and raised in the Detroit Metropolitan area died on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 in Thousand Oaks, California. She was surrounded by her mother, her husband and the love and prayers of her family and friends.

For the past year, Jennifer had been battling against an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and fought with all her strength and determination. She died as a result of complications associated with the aggressive advance of the disease almost one year to the time of her original diagnosis.

During that year, Jennifer made herself available to her children, Dean and Sofia, to support their needs, attending school functions and supporting them at home with words of encouragement and motherly comfort.

Having been educated by schools run by the Sisters of Mercy Catholic nuns, Jennifer embodied as sense of empowerment, excellence, and self confidence in her pursuits. Graduating with distinction from Wayne State University with a degree in Economics she was accepted in the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but deferred her admission to pursue a career as a stock trader in Chicago, Illinois. By demonstrating drive and aptitude on the trading desk, she quickly ascended into a partner position with the trading firm GVR, now a part of E*Trade. Education was always important for Jennifer. She left trading to continue her studies and volunteer at various education related charities including HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles). She received an MBA from DePaul University and a teaching certificate from Northeastern Illinois University.

Her sense of empowerment and courage manifested itself repeatedly throughout her life with the development of several businesses ventures, including the design production and sale of a Gym Locker Organizer, the GLO Bag and the launch of the boutique real estate brokerage, Roost.

Along the way, Jennifer cherished most the relationships among family, friends, colleagues. She will be missed by all who knew her. Jennifer is survived by her husband, George, her children, Sofia (12) and Dean (8), her mother Marlene Slusser, her aunts Sister Donna Deedler, RSM and Patricia Deedler and her uncle William Deedler.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 5 pm and prayer service (Trisigion) at 7:00 pm. Funeral will take place on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 10:00 am. Both will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 5575 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo, CA 93012. Burial to follow on Thursday at Valley Oaks Memorial Cemetery, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Email Condolences to www.ChapmanFuneralDirectors.com. Chapman Funeral Homes, toll free (855) 628-0447. Terry & Mary Harmon, Directors.