Obituary for Maria Papatheodorou
To view the funeral service, please click the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qDvUpdAfkk&feature=emb_err_woyt
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
On-line condolences can be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com
I know that my mother would wholeheartedly agree with this poem. I wanted to share this in her
honour.
In the life of our dearest Maro
Don’t cry for me now I have died, for I’m still here I’m by your side,
My body’s gone but my soul’s here, please don’t shed another tear,
I am still here, I’m all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost that nips your toes.
I am the sun, bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that’s drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head.
While I’m still there, I can’t be dead.
May Maria (Maro) rest in peace.
We love you mom.
Until we meet again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qDvUpdAfkk&feature=emb_err_woyt
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
On-line condolences can be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com
I know that my mother would wholeheartedly agree with this poem. I wanted to share this in her
honour.
In the life of our dearest Maro
Don’t cry for me now I have died, for I’m still here I’m by your side,
My body’s gone but my soul’s here, please don’t shed another tear,
I am still here, I’m all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost that nips your toes.
I am the sun, bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that’s drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head.
While I’m still there, I can’t be dead.
May Maria (Maro) rest in peace.
We love you mom.
Until we meet again