Stavroula Stratakos

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Stavroula (Stella) Stratakos who departed this world at the remarkable age of 102 in Vancouver. She peacefully left us on November 23rd, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Stella was born in Gorani, Sparta, Greece July 18th, 1921. She is predeceased by her husband Konstantinos (Gus) 2006 and her son-in-law Nikolaos 2011. She is lovingly survived by her daughters Athena and Mary, grandchildren Filitsa (Vasilis) and Stella and great grandchildren, Georgia and Niko, sister Vasso (100 years old), as well as family in Toronto, Montreal, and Greece.

Stella came from a large family of five sisters and three brothers. Her father Nikolaos was known as a kind and generous man who helped people in their village of Gorani earning him the nickname of “Saint Nicholas”. Her mother Aphrodite was known for having the best hair in the village and Stella inherited her mother's beautiful thick hair. People envied her amazing hair until her passing. Stella grew up in a large loving family on land that produced an abundance of crops that supplied neighboring villages and Sparta.

Stella married Konstantinos Stratakos in 1950 who was also from the same village. Shortly afterwards they built their first home and settled in Neo Iraklio in the Athens area.

In 1959 Stella boarded the TSS Queen Frederica from Piraeus, Greece with her two young daughters Athena, age 8 and Mary, age 2 to join her husband, two sisters and brother in Toronto. In Toronto Stella worked as a cook and was valued for her talent and strong work ethic.

After a brief visit to Vancouver one spring with the cherry blossoms in full bloom Stella's husband fell in love with the city and moved his family here in 1973.

Stella enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, cooking for her family and friends, growing vegetables and flowers in her garden well into her 90s. She was known by her neighbors as the “flower girl” for her proud display of impressive collection of colorful hanging flower baskets. Until the age of 96, Stella enjoyed traveling to family celebrations and holidays that included places like Hawaii, Toronto, and Montreal. People were amazed at her stamina and ability to walk long distances.

Stella had a profound influence on the lives of her granddaughters Filitsa and Stella. At the heart of her legacy are the lessons of kindness, strength, and generosity that she shared with her family and friends.

A survivor of cancer at age 60, she encountered adversity with the strength and courage of a true Spartan. In the face of life's challenges, she met them head-on with unwavering faith, placing her trust in God's divine plan for her journey.

Stella will be greatly missed as she was the Queen of our family and the glue that kept us all together. We were blessed having her in our lives for so long.

Funeral Service details:

A service will take place on December 7th, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC. Officiating Father Nikolaos Sideras.

Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Chapel Grove, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC at 1:00 PM.

Please join the family for a luncheon following the interment at the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, Upstairs Hall at 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, BC.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Stratakos family.