It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Paradissis (née Florakas), on Sunday July 10, 2022 while holding her daughter’s hand.

Mary will forever be remembered for her incredible intellect, her sense of humour, her unstoppable spirit, and above all, her compassion and generosity. The daughter of the late Spiro Florakas and Katerina Pothitos, she is survived by her beloved daughter Athena, her son-in-law John Mavridis, her son Alex Paradissis, along with her adored grandchildren Marina, Chloë and Alexander and Zoe, Elia and Theo, and her loving sisters Sylvia Xistris (George) and Georgia Louizos (Demetre), her many nieces, nephews and friends.

A graduate of McGill Commerce, Mary successfully worked in business from her 20’s to her 60’s. These years also saw her tirelessly volunteer for the Hellenic Ladies Benevolent, The Daughters of Penelope (AHEPA), as well as various other charities. After losing her beloved husband in 2005 (Elias Paradissis), Mary embarked on a second career as a realtor and went on to build a new community for herself. Fiercely proud of her Greek heritage, she will be remembered by her professional colleagues for hosting the Greek Independence Day lunch during these years. Loved and respected by all who knew her, Mary led a full and active life until the very end.

Her sisters Georgia (who spoke and sang to her every day for hours from Greece) and Sylvia provided her the comfort she needed towards the end. We are forever grateful for this. It is a testament to her as a Yiayia that Marina, Chloë, and Alexander were by her side every day the last 4 months of her illness. Mary’s trips with them to Greece, Florida, Bermuda and Chicago, her many weekend visits to Mount Allison University, the countless breakfasts at Chez Nick’s, the daily and sometimes lengthy phone calls are just some of the cherished memories that will accompany the three of them throughout their lives.

Respecting her wishes, there will be no viewing. A church ceremony at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral (on cote-Ste-Catherine/Wilderton) will take place on Wednesday July 20, 2022 at 11 am, followed by coffee. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name with Chez Doris or The Mount Sinai Palliative Care Hospital. She will forever live in our hearts.