Maria Hutchinson

February 9, 1933 – January 1, 2026

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully-lived, we share that our beloved mother, mother-in-law, and yiayia peacefully ascended to the heavens and into the loving arms of our Lord.

Maria (née Dimouleas) was born in Kalamata, Messinia, Greece, the youngest of four siblings. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Felix (2003), all four of her siblings, and her daughter-in-law Christina (2020). She leaves behind her beloved children John, Leo, and Angela (Adly Georgi), and her most-cherished grandchildren: Felitche (Alex), Maria Lina, Lieto, Athena, Samir and Katerina.

Growing up in post-war Greece, our mom dreamed of becoming a teacher. While she was on that path, fate intervened in the most romantic way. Her brother’s best friend, an English Radio-Marconi seaman named Felix, fell in love with her simply by seeing her photograph. Their wedding took place aboard Felix’s cargo ship in Venice, Italy, beginning a life of interesting adventures.

In 1979, with courage, faith, and hope, our parents emigrated to Canada to provide a better future for their children, settling in the Lower Mainland. From 1980 until her retirement in 1993, Maria served as secretary of the Hellenic Community of St. George’s in Vancouver. She was deeply-respected and admired for her wisdom, integrity, and kindness. She played a meaningful role in shaping and enriching St. George’s Sunday School, and her guidance and counsel were often sought and always valued.

After retiring, Maria returned to her beloved Greece year after year, spending many months in Kalamata well into her 80s. Following a stroke and hip fracture, she became home- and bed-bound in 2020. Even then, and until the very end, mom remained remarkably sharp and engaged—able to discuss philosophy with clarity and recount Greek political news with astonishing detail and reasoning.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in her own words, which she repeated often: “I have lived a fulfilled life. I have seen my children flourish and have families. I am grateful and content.” Her faith, wisdom, strength and love live on in all of us.

We extend our deepest gratitude to her longtime physician of more than 40 years, Dr. Ida Gallo, for her exceptional care and compassion. We are profoundly thankful for the dedicated home-care support provided by Fraser Health, and especially the care provided by dear family friends Nia and Maria Ioannidou. Our sincere appreciation goes to the doctors and nurses at Royal Columbian Hospital who cared for mom during her

final days. Finally, our family wishes to acknowledge Father Tim Pratas of St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church for his unwavering support, guidance, and prayers.

A funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:30 am at St. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church, 4541 Boundary Road, Vancouver. A memorial luncheon will directly follow in the church hall.

A committal Service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Ave. Burnaby at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Maria’s memory to St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church of East Vancouver.

In Memoriam

Grieve not for me

Nor mourn the while,

For happier would I be

To see you smile

Let no tears fall

Since I have passed away,

But miss me and

Remember me each day.

Live your lives

As I would want you to,

And treat thy fellowman

As I would do.

And when the time has come,

Your lives be through,

I shall be waiting here

For each of you.

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