Iraida Vallens

Iraida “Eda” Vallens of Centennial, Colorado, fell asleep in the Lord on May 23, 2025, in a Westminster, Colorado care facility, from heart failure due to complications from a heart infection and subsequent valve replacement.

A Panikhida memorial will be held at Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral (349 E 47th Ave in Denver, Colorado) on Sunday evening, June 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Overnight Vigil and Psalm Readings will continue through the night. The Divine Liturgy, officiated by her beloved son, Father Alexander Vallens, will be served on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 8:00 AM, followed by the Funeral service at 10:00 AM, and burial at Crown Hill Cemetery at 12:00 PM. Arrangements are through Horan & McConaty Mortuary. A Mercy Meal will be served at the church hall at 1:30 PM.

Iraida was born in Fischbeck, outside Hamburg, Germany, to Gregory and Tamara Zmiewsky, in late December of 1946. Together with her parents and younger brother, she immigrated to Loveland, Colorado in 1950, and later relocated to the Denver area. Iraida graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1965, and studied music at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

From childhood Iraida was a parishioner of Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Church, where her family attended and she sang in the choir. She more recently attended St. Herman Church in Littleton, then St. Tikhon Mission in Parker, where her son serves as priest. Eda worked for many years as an administrative assistant, most notably at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Colorado and Jeppesen Sanderson. She also enjoyed being active in volunteer work, most recently recognized for a decade of service at the Love INC thrift store in Littleton in 2022. Eda’s greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Iraida is preceded in death by her parents, a younger sister, and her two former husbands. Eda is survived by her beloved children, Andrea Royalty and Alexander (Maria) Vallens, her brothers Alex & George Zmiewsky, as well as her grandchildren, Anthony, Cory, Steven, Elizabeth and Michael.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Tikhon Orthodox Christian Mission: https://sttikhonparker.org/donate