Maria Pergandis SPERDAKOS

SPERDAKOS, Maria Pergandis
'In the depth of winter...within me there lay an invincible summer.' Albert Camus
Our Maria left us on Wednesday May 21, 2014 after an endless struggle with Alzheimer's that robbed her of much, but never her gentle soul. Beloved wife of the late Dean Sperdakos, adored and adoring mother and best friend to daughters Paula and Sophia, cherished mother-in-law to James Montgomery and Robert Clark, loved, loving and exceptionally proud grandmother to granddaughter Jordan Sperdakos Muszynski (Karine Silverman), grandson Matthew Sperdakos Clark, and step-grandson Sebastian Montgomery, and great-grandmother to Nico. Greatly missed by her special sister-in-law Helene Liaskos and nieces Tassie Cameron and Diane Gouzopoulos. Predeceased by her dearly beloved sister, Georgia, and by her fondly remembered sister-in-law, Coula Sperdakos, and brother-in law, George Sperdakos.
An amazing woman of great intelligence and talent, Maria lived her life with humour, dignity, wisdom, style, emotion and love. Born in Montreal on February 8, 1919 to John and Sophia Pergandis, she resided in Athens, Greece from 1925 until the end of the Second World War when she returned to Canada. She grew to womanhood under the oppression of the Nazi occupation of Greece, developing a strong character and appreciation of what was truly important in life. Fluent in English, French and Greek she used her facility with languages to fashion a working life, first as an interpreter, later as a secretary at McGill University. She played classical piano, particularly the works of Chopin, and read voraciously and eclectically; she was never without a book nearby. She cooked with a talent bestowed by the gods. Bridge was a 50-year passion and her solace in times of trouble. She was a fiercely proud Canadian who never shied away from saying so.
To her daughters, our Manoula was everything. She instilled in us her proud feminism - her belief that women can do anything they choose and her conviction that higher education was not only important, but our destiny. Her love enveloped us and her wisdom guided us. She was confidante, friend and mentor. Together with our dear father, Dean, she created a home life that was noisy and passionate, emotionally and intellectually rich and always supportive. We are eternally grateful that our children knew her and will remember their unique and cherished relationship with her before illness robbed her of her vibrant personality. They carry her in them. Her spirit is finally free and we will remember her as she once was, head thrown back in laughter, heart open to those she loved, optimistic, wise and strong. We will meet again, Manoula.
Our gratitude goes to Drs. Lea Rossiter and Myrna Lichter and to the many caregivers at the Grenadier Retirement Residence (particularly those on the 5th floor) and Wellesley Central Place who eased our mother's burdens and ours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Council of Canadians, McGill University, or the Alzheimer Society of Canada. To celebrate Maria's ebullient spirit, friends and family may visit at Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. West at Windermere Ave, east of Jane subway, Toronto, on Friday May 30, 2014, from 7 - 9 p.m. with memories being shared at 8 p.m. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca.