Constance "Connie" Simos Jouflas

Constance “Connie” Simos Jouflas, 88, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Connie was born on January 20, 1937, in Craig, Colorado, to Steve and Georgia Simos (Raftopoulos). She grew up in a proud Greek immigrant community whose faith, traditions, and work ethic deeply shaped her life. When her father passed away at a young age, Connie and her brother, James “Jimmy”, worked alongside their mother to keep the family ranch in Browns Park thriving. Those early years instilled in her a lifelong sense of resilience, independence, and devotion to family.

At just sixteen, Connie married Christopher “Chris” Jouflas, beginning a remarkable partnership that would span more than six decades. Together they built a life centered on ranching, faith, and family. Connie and Chris played a key role in developing and operating successful ranches across Eagle County (in the Vail Valley) and Mesa County, where their hard work helped strengthen the region’s agricultural foundations long before its transformation into a world-renowned resort area. Their generosity and stewardship of the land left a lasting mark on western Colorado—particularly through their contributions to the preservation of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and the surrounding river corridor—lands that generations to come will continue to enjoy.

In Grand Junction, Connie found success in real estate, where her keen insight, integrity, and determination earned her respect and lifelong friendships. She was also among the founding members of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, where her deep faith and generous spirit guided every part of her life.

Connie was known for her warmth, humor, and hospitality. She loved traveling with Chris and their friends, later sharing those adventures with her daughters and grandchildren. Throughout her life, she found joy and companionship in playing bridge with her dear friends—some groups lasting more than sixty years—where laughter and friendship filled her days.

Connie is survived by her children Denise (Carl III), Peter (Kristy), Steve (Tiffany), and Georgann (Bill); grandchildren Karlie Summy, Alex Jouflas, Carl Lipp, Hadley Jouflas, Brady Shanahan, and Zoe Shanahan; and step-grandchildren Tucker Shanahan and Brenna Sanislo. She is also survived by her brothers John and Steve Raftopoulos, and extended family who remained an important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her father, Steve Simos; her mother, Georgia Raftopoulos; her stepfather, George Raftopoulos; her beloved husband, Chris Jouflas; her brother, Jimmy Simos, Carl Lipp (Denise), Bill Shanahan (Georgann), and Carrie Jouflas (Steve).

Services will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 3585 N 12th St in Grand Junction, with a Trisagion service on Friday, October 10 at 7 pm, (viewing starting at 6pm) and the Funeral Service on Saturday, October 11 at 10 am

Thank you to the nurses and staff at Hope West Care Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie’s memory to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

May her memory be eternal.