Ioanna (Exarhoulakos) Polihroniou was born on September 14, 1926 in Myrsini, Laconia, the youngest of 8 children born to Aglaia and Panagiotis Exarhoulakos.

Ioanna  (Anna) moved to Brookline, Massachusetts in 1972 with her husband Ioannis and their three children Chronis, Thora, and Thanasi. She returned to Greece upon retirement, spending her final years there until her passing on September 22, 2025.

Ioanna spent the last 23 years traveling from Pireaus, Greece to Watertown, MA to visit her daughter Dora Vrahliotis, her husband Spiros Vrahliotis and their two children Anthia (renamed BooBoo by her grandmother) and Anna. Her granddaughters were the Alpha and Omega of her life. They affectionately called her "Yiayia BooBoo".  She was their storyteller, their champion, their comforter, and they loved her fiercely.

We often use the phrase "one of a kind" in describing remarkable people- Ioanna broke the mold, leaving a legacy of strength, wisdom, and a trail of light. For all who knew her, she was extraordinary, vibrant, passionate, committed, fiery and feisty. She was a REAL one! I won life's jackpot by having her as MY mom!

She was loved deeply by her niece Eileen Kalos and her family, and her nephew Peter Exarhoulakos and his family and cherished every moment she was able to share with them.

She will be missed to no end and loved eternally.

A 40-day memorial service will be held at Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown on October 26, 2025. Donations in her memory may be made to Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox church 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472.