PAPATHEODOROU, Maria (nee Sotiropoulos) - (1935 - 2020) - In the life of our dearest Maro.
Maria Papatheodorou (nee Sotiropoulos) passed peacefully on May 24, 2020 in her 85th year at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
She was the loving wife of Theodore Papatheodorou for 56 years, who tirelessly took care of Maria to the very end. Maria was the beloved mother of Angeliki (Angela) Giannos (nee Papatheodorou), loving mother-in-law of Bill Giannos of whom mom adored, and a very proud grandmother of Alexander P. Giannos.
Maria was a great sister to Nikoletta and Sotirios, and the late George, Theodore (Laki), Athanasia, Panagiotis and Basiliki. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews and recently became a great-aunt to our little Eryx.
My mother had a full and proud life. She was born on April 15, 1935 in Horemi, Arcadia, Greece to Kaliopi and Elias Sotiropoulos. Their family was built on strong values - hard work, perseverance, loyalty, optimism and laughter. This was my mother’s approach to life.
Mom was sponsored by her sister Nikoleta and immigrated to Ottawa, Canada in 1958. She went back to her village Horemi and married my father on July 12, 1964. They then returned to Ottawa, Canada at the end of that summer to begin a life together. I arrived in Nov of 1967 and we moved to Toronto in 1970. From there, my mother attended George Brown College to become a seamstress and she began her new career in Toronto.
We would take our trips to Ottawa often mom would catch up with her brothers, sister and friends. My mother’s friends were very important to her - the bond she had with them was very strong. The Yitonia (neighbourhood) was her lifeline. They became family.
Mom was always kept busy. If she wasn’t at an Aqua-aerobics class, she would be crocheting or out for a coffee. Recently she had become pretty talented with adult colouring and loved playing bingo with her friend Vivian. Together with dad, my little family and I took on a big job but one that we will never regret. We spent the last two years taking care of mom. With her stories and her humour, she made the best of every day and brought joy into our home. I hope that one day, I can be as strong and persevere through life as my mother has.
I know she is in a better place today. She is unburdened, breathing easier, and is free to socialize with her brothers, sisters and friends that have gone before her. For that I smile and can be content that mom is where she needs to be right now. She can rest and enjoy this next part of her journey. We will miss her dearly but we will think of her often. She will live on in our memories and in our hearts. We will remember the good times and the memories that we have had with mom, as I am sure you will all do as well.
We wanted to thank the Staff at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the hospital at Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Arrangements with Roadhouse and Rose funeral home.
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