Obituary of Panagiota Velentzas

Panagiota Velentzas of Centralia, formerly of London and originally of Korinthia, Greece. Also lovingly known as "Panayoula," "Yioula," or "Pat" by family, friends and acquaintances. Panagiota passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 27th, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved mother of Anna (Angelo) Fragiskatos of Centralia. Loving aunt of Alex (Georgia) Kollias, also of Centralia. Adored grandmother of Peter (Katy) Fragiskatos, Georgia Fragiskatos and John Fragiskatos, as well as a dear and loving grandmother to her sister’s grandchildren, Costas (Shannan) Kollias and Sotiria (Nathan) Kollias. Also survived by sister Anastasia (Yianni) Kakouri and brother Vasilios (Maria) Velentzas, both of Greece. Predeceased by her parents Alexios and Anna, sister Dina (Costadinos) Kollias and brother, Father Costadinos (Androniki) Velentzas. Panagiota will also be greatly missed by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends in Canada, the United States and Greece. Panagiota was born in the small town of Zevgolatio in the province of Korinthia, Greece in 1924. She was the second oldest of five siblings, and the second daughter. Although a bright young student, Panagiota was pulled out of school at just nine years old in order to work in the family’s fields, vineyards and olive groves alongside her beloved father, Alexios. As Panagiota had no older brothers, she became her father’s "right hand" in all of his labours. Although tiring and tedious work, Panagiota reflected back on this time with fond memories. As a young teenager, Panagiota lived through the German occupation of Greece and the economic hardships that followed. In 1955, when Panagiota was in her late twenties, she made the bold and courageous decision to leave behind her beloved parents, siblings and homeland and to immigrate by herself to Canada in search of a better life. She sailed by ship across the Atlantic Ocean for nearly two weeks, finally landing in Halifax and then settling in Montreal. There, Panagiota initially worked as a housemaid and later in various jobs, including cleaning school residences and working in clothing factories. In her later years, she often spoke of how difficult it had been for her, both practically and emotionally, when she first came to this unfamiliar land. She attributed her ability to get through those challenging times to the grace of God alone, whom, as she said, never left her side. In 1960 Panagiota was married and in 1962 her only child, Anna, was born. In 1968 she moved to London, Ontario. She became employed at the LacMac clothing factory, where she continued to work for 18 years to provide for her daughter as best she could. While living in the city she made countless friends and acquaintances in London’s Greek immigrant community. After retiring from LacMac, Panagiota moved to Centralia, Ontario (near Exeter) with her daughter and son-in-law, where she raised her grandchildren with love and discipline. While having grown to love and respect this country, she continued to love and respect her Greek culture as well, and strived daily to teach her grandchildren the language, customs and values of the Greek culture and the Greek Orthodox faith. Beyond being loved by her family and relatives, Panagiota was known and admired by a great many others for her genuine character, infectious laugh, straight talk and standing up for what she believed in. She was well known for her strong desire to help and to make happy all those around her. This was often seen in her love of feeding everyone and giving loving advice to those who needed it. She was confident in her abilities yet humble, and she always put other people’s needs ahead of her own. Panagiota faced many challenges related to her health in the last years of her life, yet during this period her compassion for others, both young and old, loved ones and strangers, grew even stronger than before. In these difficult times she loved to hear stories of perseverance, faith, and people helping one another. During this time she herself demonstrated incredible patience, an undying sense of humour, deep love for her family and friends and steadfast faith in God. To all those who knew her, she was and will always be a great example of integrity, humility and selflessness. The family would like to thank all of Panagiota’s relatives and friends for their love, support and condolences, including all the Fragiskatos relatives. Thank you also to Panagiota’s healthcare team, which included Dr. Jadd, nurse Theresa Parsons and many Saint Elizabeth PSWs and nurses who helped care for Panagiota over the last several years. A special heartfelt thank you to recently retired Nurse Practitioner Annie Morris for her critical support through the last several years. Also a huge thank you to former PSW and now friend Vonnie Morgan for her compassion and friendship. Thank you also to current Nurse Practitioner Alison Clark and nurse Cassie Parsons for their kind support over the past two months. Last but not least thank you to Father Dimitris Mouselimis and Father Elias Drossos for their spiritual support. Visitation will be held at the Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St., London, on Sunday from 6-9pm (Prayers at 8pm). Funeral service will be conducted in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London, on Monday, December 31, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. with Father Demetre Mouselimis officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery. Donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church http://www.londongreekcommunity.com/ or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario https://www.heartandstroke.ca/ would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Monday, December 31, 2018 Service Time 1:30 p.m. Service Location Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London Visitation Sunday, December 30, 2018 Visitation Time 6-9pm (Prayers at 8pm) Visitation Location Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (between Colborne & Waterloo St.) Burial Date Monday, December 31, 2018 Burial Time Following Funeral Service Burial Location Woodland Cemetery London, Ontario Requested Charity Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario