Maria Hazapis passed away on July 16, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida. She lived 92 amazing years blessed with a large and beautiful family that filled her life with joy and love. She was the devoted wife of Antonios Hazapis and celebrated 60 years of marriage with him before he passed away in 2013.
Maria was born October 1, 1928 in Vrahnou village of Andros, Greece to Augousti and Erinoula Tatakis.
She was a nurse to the people of her village and a seamstress for many years, before coming to reside in the U.S.A., where she worked at the University Club and Sarasota Yacht Club. She also worked alongside her husband in their own restaurant called “Lester’s Diner” in Sarasota.
Maria was called “Mama & Yaya” by many people over the years, not only her biological family, but also others that she met along her life’s journey and took under her wing and provided love and nurturing to. To call her the “grandest mother of them all” would be an understatement. Her most treasured accomplishments included helping to raise many children and grandchildren. She would say “do you know how many babies have passed through these hands?” with the utmost love and compassion and tears of joy in her eyes.
Maria not only loved her family, but also the Lord. She taught us what it meant to be a follower of Christ and have a “xrisi cardia” (heart of gold). It is no doubt that many of us have been protected by the countless prayers that she spoke over our lives over the years.
We will continue the many traditions she instilled in us over the years, including making Pastelli every Christmas season and cutting the fresh tsoureki on New Year’s Day. Most of all, her love for her family will live on in our hearts forever.
Maria is survived by her sisters: Tasia Mila, Andriana Voulgaris, and Anezio Triantafilou and brothers: Nick and Tony Tatakis. Daughter and son-in-law: Irene and Doug Hill; daughter and son-in-law: Katherine and Raymond Baker, granddaughter and grandson-in-law: Maria and Gary Whalen; granddaughter: Melinda Harrison; grandsons; Raymond Baker Jr., Timothy Baker, Phillip Keaser; great-grandchildren: Madeline Harrison, Elijah LaPointe, Alexander, Jennifer and Kristopher Whalen, Hayley, Preston, Cash, Price and Wyatt Baker; great-great-grandchildren: Trinity & Chase Keyso and Weston Whalen; as well as many other family members.
Donations in memory of Maria Hazapis can be made to Infinite Wishes Foundation - Infinite Heroes
(https://www.infinitewishes.org/infiniteheroes)
A memorial service will be held at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 12:30 pm. Visitation will precede mass 11:30 am -12:30 pm, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL. A graveside service will follow at 2 pm at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL.
Yaya, sas agapame para polli…we will always love you. We know that you longed to be with your beloved “Nako” again and we can all find comfort that the two of you have been reunited on the other side of heaven and can dance together once again. Save a place for us, we look forward to seeing you again one day.
“You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
--by David Harkins
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