Obituary of Maria Bobotsis (née Kokkoros)

It is with great sadness we announce that on October 4, 2018 in her 81st year, Maria Bobotsis died peacefully surrounded by her family at University Hospital. Maria was born in the mountainous village of Goranoi, Greece (a small village near Sparta) in 1937 to Panagioti and Panagiota Kokkoros and was the eldest of six children. Maria was baptized at the Monastery of Elona. She immigrated to Canada in 1961. After arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Queen Frederica she made her way by train to meet the love of her life. Maria married Jim Bobotsis at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on May 5, 1961, where they would build their lives and family together over the course of the next 50 plus years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and a wonderful friend to all who knew her. Maria was also an incredibly hard worker, taking classes to learn English as well as driving lessons while working and caring for her family. In addition to her work ethic, Maria was an excellent seamstress. She could work miracles behind the sewing machine - which lead her to work at Kayser and then at Fanshawe College where she taught the Power Sewing Machine course between 1975 and 1978. Before her debilitating illness, Maria was a vibrant woman who was full of life. She enjoyed being out each day, visiting family and friends, attending church services, dancing and travelling. Maria loved to host parties and was an excellent cook. Maria was an active member of Ladies Philoptochos of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of London. She was honoured with the Ontario Volunteer Award in1996. She was also a member of the Laconian Association of London. Those who knew Maria will remember that she loved the camera and the camera loved her back. She would never miss an opportunity to be in a picture. Maria was very proud of her entire family and would enthusiastically share her photos with family and friends. In recent years, she took great pride in learning how to use all of the new technology and was better at it than some of the younger folk. She was an intelligent woman, and despite her life circumstances she always strived to be a lifelong learner. She is predeceased by her loving husband Jim Bobotsis. She is also survived by her daughter Soula Bobotsis and her son Gus Bobotsis and his wife Lillian Bobotsis. She will be forever remembered by her granddaughter "Koukla" (beautiful) Zoe Reign Bobotsis. Maria will be lovingly remembered as well by her surviving siblings and their families: Nikitas Kokkoros and his wife Vasiliki Kokkoros of Greece, Martha Rigakos of Greece (husband Stelios, deceased), Elias Kokkoros and his wife Diamanto Kokkoros of Greece, Kostantinos Kokkoros and his wife Fani Kokkoros of London and Agis Kokkoros and his wife Georgia Kokkoros of Greece. She is survived by many loving relatives, including brother-in-law George Bobotsis and his wife Maria Bobotsis of London, Nikki Koukoulomatis of Greece (husband Ntino, deceased) and John Bobotsis and his wife Matina Bobotsis of London. She will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews and was a loving godmother to Dimitri Lascaris, Sandy Newton, Elias Kamouzi and Maria Mouselimis. She will be remembered for her warm and friendly smile. She loved her family deeply. She will be missed by family and friends and will hold a special place in our hearts. May God rest her soul and may her memory be Eternal. Manoula mou, you are now with dad where there is no more pain and suffering. Funeral service will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Father Demetre Mouselimis. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Logan Funeral Home, 519-433-6181, entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Service Time 1:00 p.m. Service Location Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London, Ontario Visitation *no visitation* Burial Date Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Burial Time Following Funeral Service Burial Location Woodland Cemetery London, Ontario Requested Charity Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church