Spyracopoulos, Eleni

On October 26, 2020, Eleni passed peacefully in Surrey, British Columbia, after courageously facing a lengthy and debilitating illness. She leaves behind her loving husband George, daughter Georgia, sons Ted (Rosa) and Leo (Nina), and adoring grandchildren Alexander, Evan and Alyssa.

Eleni arrived in Montreal during the early sixties, where she worked briefly as an au pair, before deciding to join extended family in Winnipeg.  There she met George and were married. Soon they started their very own “village”m welcoming a rambunctious daughter, quickly followed by a pair of identical twin boys.

Having lost her father as a toddler, Eleni put family above all other things, and soon after the children arrived, her mother joined the family and helped raise the children. She was a devoted mother who cared deeply for her children.  Having faced hardship as a child and young woman, Eleni ensured that her children received a quality education, and did her best to enrich their lives with many memorable activities, as well as French, Greek, and music lessons. She continued this tradition by enriching the lives of her grandchildren with new experiences and by taking them to attractions in and around Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Eleni was courageous, passionate, strong, hard-working, and generous to a fault.  She is remembered fondly as “Heavy Duty Helen” by her children. She valued the Greek community, Greek traditions and her Greek Orthodox faith. She could not tolerate idleness, and immersed herself in the community by teaching the Greek language, being involved in Greek youth organizations and by volunteering at the church and at functions like Winnipeg’s famous “Folklorama” festival.  She also hosted a Greek community television show for a brief time.  Eleni loved taking care of her family and her home, had a fondness for antique furniture, and cooking. She spoiled her family and friends with dinners fit for royalty; her culinary skills were legendary.

Her funeral will be held at Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox church, 13181 96 Ave, Surrey, on Thursday October 29, 2020 at 10:00am with Fr. Kostadinos Kaltsidis officiating. Burial to follow at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 16 Ave, Surrey, BC.

May her memory be eternal.

A livestream of the funeral can be viewed by visiting http://facebook.com/ancientburials