Sarah Etta Koutsourakis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah Etta Koutsourakis, at the age of 100 years and 9 months. Sarah was the oldest of 9 children, born to Blanche and Anastasios Scopelites, on Oct. 26, 1924 in Cape Breton, N.S. Sarah spent her early years in Glace Bay and Sydney before moving with her family to Halifax.

Sarah was a gifted piano player and loved to play the piano for family and friends, especially for her siblings. Neighbours enjoyed the sounds of live music coming out into the street and wafting down the road.

Full of life, Sarah was a vibrant part of the Greek community in Halifax. She also spent much of her time at Pier 21, helping to translate for new Greek immigrants on their way to a new life in Canada. For those who decided to stay in Halifax, she helped them to settle and familiarize themselves in a new land.

Before marrying, Sarah worked at the Cameo Restaurant on Spring Garden Road. She had a passion for the restaurant business and real estate. She married her husband Nick in 1955, and they had three children. Together, they ran the K and R Lunch Room on Robie Street, and later opened a larger restaurant on Windsor Street. They eventually moved to Midland, Ontario and ran The Riv Bistro with their son, John. Sarah spent more than 30 years in Ontario and returned to Nova Scotia in the latter years of her life.

A great cook and baker, Sarah was famous for her boiled icings which she would pile on delicious cakes, and her diples, a Greek honey-covered, fried sweet. She enjoyed ballroom dancing and had an appreciation for excellence and quality in all things. She had great fashion sense and a gift for decorating - she could make a dilapidated barn look like a room at the Hilton. A hard worker, she was always looking for a new business endeavor, or how to improve her present one. Many were blessed through the years with her great generosity and she opened her home to so many. She loved the Lord and knew that loving God was more than words - it involved the heart.

She is survived by her daughters Anastasia Koutsourakis, Despina Blentzas (George), grandsons Seraphim Blentzas and Elijah Koutsourakis (Kim), granddaughter Andreane Fatouros (Stephen), great grandsons Foti Fatouros and Bohdi Koutsourakis, and great granddaughters Constandina Fatouros and Shiloh Koutsourakis. She is also survived by brothers John Schofield (Irene), Stephen Schofield (Sharon), George Schofield and sisters Helen Makridis and Marina Sarlanis, along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas Koutsourakis and son John Koutsourakis, as well as sister Marjorie Jonah and brothers Bill Schofield and James Schofield.

Thanks and appreciation to all the Bayshore girls who spent time sitting with Sarah whenever needed and for always being there. Also to the paramedics who carried out their job efficiently and with great compassion whenever there was a call, and the Continuing Care and VON staff who couldn't help enough.

Sarah will be greatly missed. We give thanks to God for the time we had with her on this earth and thank God for the access He provided through His Son Jesus, for her entrance to Heaven. Sarah's favourite hymn was "Nearer My God to Thee"

"There let the way appear, steps unto heav'n

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy give'n

Angels to beckon me ,nearer my God, to Thee

Nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!