Nancy Alexiadis

— 69, Halifax. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, yiayia and friend, Nancy Alexiadis died peacefully at home on Monday, December 14, 2009, surrounded by her family. Born in Anavriti near Sparta, Greece in 1940, she passed through the gates of Pier 21 to start her life in Canada in 1958. The daughter of the late Panagioti Vlahos, she is survived by her mother, Voula (Sarantopoulos) Vlahos; brother, Bill (Jean) Vlahos and her sister, Freda (Spero) Apostolides. During her life, Nancy was very active not only with her family, but with the community. She was a church choir member, taught Greek-folk dance, Sunday school and was a member of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and the Saint Catherine's Philoptochos Society. In 1962, she married Paul Apostolos Alexiadis of Volos, Greece. Married for 47 years, their lives were filled with many joys and adventures. Love of travel took them around the world, through Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Alaska, Cuba and many parts of North America. Their bond was one of partnership, friendship and love. Nancy considered motherhood as one of her greatest accomplishments. She was an endless source of love and support to her children, Dr. Maria Alexiadis, Paula (Dimitri) Mastrodimitropoulos, B.Ed, Dr. Aleco (Leslie) Alexiadis and Peggy (Gary) Brown, Ma.(C). They will always feel privileged to have had her as their teacher. Grace and simplicity characterized Nancy. She treated everyone with integrity, kindness and respect. Her passion for life was obvious in her love of flowers that thrived beautifully throughout her home. Her love of flowers was only equaled to her passion and expertise for cooking. She made a "mean" baklava and always cooked for a crowd or just in case the kids dropped by. However, these passions pale in comparison to her devotion for her four grandchildren who basked in her love, enjoyed her gentle demeanour and awaited the next batch of "yiayia" cookies that were always in endless supply. Yiayia's grandchildren, Aleka Antonia, Esmee, Athanasia and Alasdair, will miss her dearly. Nancy's love of family extended to her cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. She touched the hearts and lives of everyone she knew. For four years she fought a dignified battle with sarcoma and was an example of strength, courage and determination. Special thanks to Dr. Bruce Colwell and Laverne RN., VON and all her nurses on 8A, and the Palliative Care Team including Joe Pratt. We will miss you mom but we know you are in a better place to watch over us. Visitation will be Thursday, December 17, at 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. with funeral service on Friday, December 18, at 11:30 a.m. in St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, 38 Purcell's Cove Rd. On-line condolences can be made at: www.mem.com

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Multiple Sclerois Society, Atlantic Division or Canadian Cancer Society (please direct donations to Sarcoma Research).