Panayota Sainas

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Yiayiá, and Aunt, Panayota Sainas.

At the well lived age of 91 years old, Panayota passed away peacefully in her sleep just after midnight on December 5th, 2025. During her final hours, she was surrounded by her loving family members at her hospital bedside.

Panayota is survived by her sons, Steve and Alexandros; Steve’s wife Danielle, and their children, Elsa and Eric; Alexandros’s partner, Iryna and her son, Sasha; Panayota’s nephews and nieces, Panos, Stavros, Tom, Alekka, Alexis, Susan, and Helen; as well as Panayota’s many cousins.

Panayota joins in Heaven her husband Nickolas; father and mother, Epaminondas and Georgia; brothers, Nikos and Stavros; as well as several beloved cousins, and in-laws.

Panayota was a wonderful loving mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family. She was born on August 29th, 1934 in the village of Agrilovouno, Messinias, Greece. Panayota had a challenging early childhood growing up in Nazi occupied Greece. In 1961, she emigrated from Greece to marry her fiancé Nickolas in Vancouver and begin to raise a family in a new country that offered much promise for a better life.

Soon after they settled in Kitsilano, Panayota and Nickolas had two sons, Steve and Alexandros, for whom they lovingly provided an incredible life of opportunity. Panayota and Nickolas also enjoyed spending time with their two grandchildren, Elsa and Eric, whom they loved with all their heart. While living in Vancouver, Panayota was employed in Janitorial Services at the University of British Columbia until her retirement in 1999.

Panayota was a loving wife, mother, and dedicated homemaker who passionately enjoyed preparing delicious Greek cuisine for her family, and also loved hosting delectable dinner parties for family and friends. Panayota and Nickolas also enjoyed attending Greek Community dances, going on family outings with dear friends, and travelling back to Greece to visit their relatives. Panayota was passionate about gardening, and she was especially proud of her spectacular rose gardens which bloomed beautifully every summer always impressing her Kitsilano neighbourhood.

The Sainas family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful Broadway Lodge Staff who cared for Panayota during her final year. Panayota often expressed how grateful she was to be taken care of with such thoughtful attention.

Panayota was a strong, resilient, kindhearted woman who always put others before herself. She was well loved by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. Rest peacefully, Mom and Yiayiá… We love you, and you will be in our hearts eternally.

A funeral service for Panayota will be held, Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4A2. A reception will be held in the adjacent hall immediately after the funeral service.

Following the reception there will be a committal service from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3M1. Family and friends of our family are welcome to attend.

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