Niki Gemelas

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children Amalia Crocker and Michael Gemelas, grandchildren Robert Ashwill, Nazsiwa Shishkowski, Anthea Shishkowski and Jace Gemelas, great grandchild Atlas Shishkowski , daughter in-law Barbara Shishkowski , Jaces mom Tammy Miller and sister-in-law Katina Lagios, Athena Lagios and Angela Micallef, nieces; Penelope Dichiera, Christine Anne Chaseling, Sophia Lagios, Anthy Victor and Stella and Niko Margarita, nephews; John Lagios, John Victor, Jerry Victor and Frederick Carter as well as many other relatives from California, friends and acquaintances.

Predeceased by husband Basile, son John, parents Anthoula and John, siblings Dimi, Effi, Markos and Panos.

Niki’s life began in 1933, born in a beautiful little village by the Corinthian gulf called Monastiraki in central Greece. Brought up in poverty during WW2 , left a stamp of resilience, pragmatism and toughness to her already strong willed character that would prepare her for the many challenges she would face in her journeys.

She immigrated to Victoria B.C. Canada in the 1950’s at a time when immigrants were looked down upon and with support services non existent. She ventured forth penniless, suitcase in hand with a strong work ethic to a new and strange country with a dream to make her fortune and then return to Greece. That was not to be.

After working at the Empress Hotel for some time, she eventually moved to Vancouver working long hours in many restaurant jobs , as well as sponsoring her 2 younger brothers to Canada. While in Vancouver, friends of hers in the Greek community were trying to be matchmakers and would encourage her many times to meet this young Greek man. Apparently, he was very keen to meet her. She wasn’t having any of it. She saved her money and moved to Chilliwack and became part owner of a coffee shop. One day while working in the kitchen, a man strolled in the kitchen, wearing a long trench coat, snooping around and looking very official. She thought he was a health inspector and asked what did he want. He said , he was looking for the owner. She said he wasn’t in and what was his business here. He said he was from Vancouver and was hired to come and work as a cook. The young man thought she was Italian and asked if she spoke Italian in which she said no, she was Greek. He spoke to her in Greek and they hit it off. Little did Niki know he was the young man her friends in Vancouver were trying to get her to meet. And little did the young man know she was the one the same friends were trying to get him to meet. The courtship began and eventually they found out who they were. It was Kismet. They married in 1961 and together they opened up their very first business, Homers Restaurant in 1966. They would go on to opening up a cabaret in Vancouver during the early 1970s and eventually moving to California and opening up a coffee shop and restaurant in Sacramento. They returned to Canada in 1979 where they opened up their last restaurant The Nest in Mission B.C. After years of retirement they embarked on a new adventure and moved to Mexico for 2 years. They returned in 2016 and lived in Chilliwack where it all started. They were together for 57 years until Basile’s death in 2018.

Niki was a spirited, authentic, independent woman, who lived life on her own terms and died on her own terms.

She loved gardening and knitting. She loved people. She loved her Greek dancing and wine, always the life of the party. She could be very stubborn and had strong opinions on many subjects. She was selfless when it came to her family. She endured the loss of a son , a husband and all her siblings but also had many joyful celebrations. She survived it all, even Covid. She was a real trooper till the end, true to herself. RIP to a great lady.