Obituary of Mrs. Kyriakoula Marousis
Kyriakoula (Koula) Marousis (nee Bajakis)
May 15,1930 – October 15, 2024
It is with great sorrow that we share the sad news of the passing of Koula on October 15, 2024, at the age of 94.
My dear sweet mother passed peacefully in her sleep early morning at Bendale Acres Long Term Care Home. She will now be back in the arms of our Lord Jesus and her many loved ones who passed before her and are waiting to embrace and welcome her.
My mom was born in Finiki, a small village in Southern Greece, and my brother and I grew up hearing many wonderful stories of its beauty and the many fascinating characters in the village from both my mom and my own yiayia Helene. Many of those fascinating characters ended up in Toronto and became part of our extended family.
She was the youngest daughter of Christos and Helene Bajakis, sister to Yiannis and Diamando. The 3 siblings remained close throughout their lives, living near each other in Scarborough and keeping family connected.
The first of the siblings to emigrate to Toronto in 1957, she married her husband Pierros that same year. Tragically, she lost her husband early in her marriage leaving 2 young children to support and to deal with her own sorrow. Although her life was not easy at this point, her focus turned immediately to providing a stable and joyful life for her son, Jim and daughter, Penny. She approached life with true strength and determination, along with a wicked sense of humour, which she shared with her siblings. My mother taught my brother and I life lessons by example: be true to yourself, have a goal and work towards it, all hurdles can be overcome with determination and ingenuity, anything you do, do it well, be sincere and genuine, be kind to others and help those less fortunate and above all never take yourself too seriously, relax and laugh with family and friends. She taught us well. When the 3 siblings got together and that was often, there was never ending laughter, even though the rest of us could not always follow their train of thought we all joined in the laughter watching them having so much fun! They taught us family first and keep the connection. This has flowed to the next generation down, as well as the next generation after that. Cousins and family friends are considered brothers and sisters, and we all remain close and have many wonderful get togethers sharing many happy memories. My mom was a second mom to many. Her acceptance, easy-going and judgement-free nature, made all so comfortable with her. She was honoured to have touched so many lives.
Her children gave her joy, but her grandchildren, Peter, Nick and Marina, gave her double joy. She had a very deep connection with each of them and especially Peter, being her first, and who spent much of his early years with his yiayia playing, learning and watching cartoons together. They all visited yiayia often and she was always more alert when they were with her. Peter, Nick and Marina have many loving memories growing up with their yiayia, countless laughs, funny nicknames, and above all, her gentle demeanor and the endless warmth and support she provided them.
My mom was a seamstress by trade and worked at the Spadina factories, knowing very little English, but she knew how to sew. I have many fond memories (and pictures) of the fashion forward outfits my mom made for me. My mom was a proud woman and worked two and three jobs to make ends meet, but always was there when we needed her. I remember our Saturday shopping sprees, where she would lean over and ask, “Do you have a full tank of gas Penny?” She meant business. She was my best friend.
Mom was also an avid gardener with a true green thumb. She loved to spend time in her backyard, tending to her flowers and vegetables. Spring was her favorite season, as it symbolized rebirth and growth.
Koula is survived by her daughter Penny (Demetre), her grandchildren Peter (Thea), Nick and Marina and sister-in-law Stavroula Bajakis. Predeceased by her husband Pierros, her son Jim, her brother Yiannis Bajakis, sister Diamando and brother-in-law Dimitrios Koutsogiannopoulos.
She will be greatly missed by her family and the many nieces and nephews and their families and by her extended family and many friends. She loved unconditionally all family and friends and all the people important in her life.
A special thank you to all the 6th floor Thompson Park staff at Bendale Acres, who cared for my mom with professionalism, compassion, respect and dignity. An amazing team! And a special thank you to Lilly who not only cared for my mom but also made sure I was well informed, and I was OK too. Thank you to the Bendale administration for making mom’s final departure from Bendale heartwarming, with your touching words and respectful ceremony.
A final farewell to Koula. It brings us great comfort knowing your manoula, your husband and your son are waiting to greet you along with many others who were so special in your life.
If desired, memorial donations may be made in Koula’s Memory to Parkinson Canada (parkinson.ca) or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca) or to a charity of your choice.
May her Memory be Eternal.
