"I still have no words for your passing. All I can say it that you will be sorely missed. Much love and BOOTS!"
In loving memory of
Vicki Maria Depountis
December 4, 1966 - November 21, 2019
Vicki Maria DePountis, 52, passed away surrounded by family on November 21st, 2019 in Austin, Texas. Vicki was born in New York, New York to John Depountis and Angelica Bristoyiani on December 4th, 1966.
Vicki went to high school at the prestigious Stuyvesant High School, where she graduated early at the age of 16. She went on to earn her Bachelors from New York University in Marketing, her Masters in Education at the University of Texas, and her Doctorate in Education at Texas Tech University, where she earned high awards for her dissertation regarding technology's role in education for visually impaired students.
Vicki's passion for education shined brightest in her work. She taught math at Crockett High School, worked as an Assistant Professor at Stephen F. Austin University, and worked as an Adjunct Professor at Texas Tech. Her true calling was supporting the visually impaired and autistic student population, and worked as a mobility specialist to teach students independent living skills. While she loved the one-on-one interactions with her students, she took a position working as a program administrator with the Texas Education Agency in 2017 and made huge strides to improve the education programs for the visually impaired and special needs students.
When she was not changing the lives of her students, Vicki enjoyed traveling with her family, whether it was across the globe in Greece or Germany or to the West Coast of the United States. A true appreciator of the arts, she loved exploring museums and attending live performances, ranging from opera to a live show at a local restaurant. Over the last several years, she spent her free time turning her house into a home with her family, a "forever home" filled with beautiful decor, big windows, and countless family memories.
Vicki is survived by her husband, James Shockey of Austin; her son Stephen Polozoff and his wife, Shelby, of Kyle, her daughter, Kristi Polozoff of Austin; her father, John DePountis of New York; and 3 brothers, Dean DePountis and his wife Sandy, of Bismarck, George DePountis, his wife, Thea, and their 2 children, and Mark DePountis. She is preceded in death by her mother, Angelica Bristoyiani.
Visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home on Sunday, December 1st, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Austin on Monday, December 2nd, at 7:00 pm. The burial service will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on December 3rd, at 10:15 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to All Blind Children of Texas, www.abctx.org.
Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas, 78745, is in charge of arrangements. They can be reached at (512)443-1366.
For those coming out of town, a block of hotel rooms have been reserved at the Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark (4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX 78744) at a nightly rate of $79. To book, please call 1-800-843-6664 and reference the Polozof Room Block. Additionally, rooms may be reserved by going to the following link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/austin-southpark/meetings/polozof-room-block-12012019
Tributes
"Vicki was a wonderful teacher and role model. That I had the pleasure knowing and being her student in high school where so served as my O&M teacher. She never failed to make me laugh on the days she worked with my she?d listen to my struggle and didn?t stop teaching a skill till I got it. After I graduated we became friends. She made a huge impact on me that will forever stick with me. I can say Vicki truly cared about everyone she work with and poured herself in it. I?m happy that I knew her."
"I had the privilege of working alongside Vicki before she went back to school for her PhD. There is so much I admired about her. I am grateful to have known her. She certainly made the most of her time here with us. I will honor her memory by being more generous with my time and talents. "
"Vicki was such a wonderful, warm, caring person - I will miss her terribly as a sister-in-law. I appreciate so much the joy she brought my brother, and to so many people. I remember baking Greek cookies with her and Jim and her two children last Christmas, her gentle warmth and sense of humor - such a lovely memory. Still very hard to believe she's gone. Vicki, I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are and always will be. With much love and a sad heart, Judy"
"She was a beautiful lady. She help my son in so many way. We are from Levelland. Hated when she moved from Levelland. My friend rest in peace. Love the Morin family from Levelland"
"Dave, Sarah and I were so sorry to hear of your passing. For the rest of my life I will remember your gentle soft voice, your beautiful smile, and your tender love for your family. I am so glad our paths crossed "way back when". Your family is in our thoughts."