Katrina KALATZIS

KALATZIS, Katrina (Katie)

Peacefully surrounded by family
on Monday, August 17, 2015, in
Toronto at the age of 84. Born in
Athens, Greece on June 19,
1931. Beloved wife of the late
Vasilios 'Bill' Kalatzis (2006)
Loving mother of Nicolas
(Luciana), Stephen and Jim
Cherished grandmother to Emily,
Alexandra, Jonathan, Patrick and
Brandon, who she raised as a
special needs foster child. Dear
aunt to Patricia, Betty, Peter and
Nicholas.
   Katie and Bill arrived in Halifax
via ship in 1955 and then took a
train to Toronto with 2 suitcases
to start a new life in a new
country. As a young woman she
started sorting and stuffing
cushions. With the help of fellow
employees on off hours, she
learned how to sew cushions. It
was hard factory work and many
years of perseverance. There
was a lot of overtime work
which she never turned down in
order for her boys to have the
little extra things. Years later,
she was promoted to head
operator in her department and
voted in as shop steward. She
was so proud to have worked at
Barrymore Furniture which was
an industry leader then and still
is today. After retirement, Katie
worked tirelessly with the
Canadian Hellenic Greek Chapter
She was an outstanding member
of her local church, Sts
Constantine and Helen. She
cooked, baked and delivered
food to the elderly who did not
have any luxuries, extended
family or friends and she kept
them company. She also drove 3
to 4 times a week to visit Greek
Hellenic Centre for Seniors,
arriving with Greek delicacies
and assisted seniors outside to
the garden for fresh air and
sunshine. Affectionately known
as Mrs. K., she always loved to
have her sons' friends at the
house with food aplenty. She
only worked one way and had
one speed, OVERDRIVE. She
stressed 2 things, get a good
education or learn a trade and
you'd better be very good at
both or excellent at one. That
was her mantra to her 3 sons
Proud of her family, Nicolas
(wife, Luciana) has owned an
iconic luxury men's and
women's store in Yorkville for
over 30 years. Stephen, now
retired, was former owner of
Stephen K. Hair Salon and Co-
Founder of Hair Force and
toured Europe and U.S.A. with
the late Alexandre de Paris in
1984. Youngest son, Jim, is also
self employed and a master
mechanic. Katie lived to see
them thrive.
   Visitations will be held at
Cardinal Funeral Home, 92
Annette St. (east of Keele) on
Sunday, August 23rd and
Monday, August 24th, from
2:00-4:00 and 6:00-9:00 p.m
Prayers on Monday, at 6:00 p.m
An Orthodox Rite of Funeral will
be held at the Sts. Constantine
and Helen Greek Orthodox
Church, 1 Brookhaven Dr. on
Tuesday, August 25th, at 10:00
a.m. Interment to follow at
Sanctuary Park Cemetery (Royal
York and Lawrence). In lieu of
flowers, donations in Katie's
memory may be made to the
Heart and Stroke Foundation.
   Online condolences received at
www.cardinalfuneralhomes.com