Loving wife of the late Vasilios, beloved mother of Katherin and Mario (Amanda), and adoring yiayia of Calista and Penelope, Eleni passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 9, 2025.
Eleni was born in the farming village of Mylotopos, Greece to Maria and Iakovos Demertsoglou, the second of five sisters with two older brothers. Her early life was marked by the outbreak of the Second World War in Greece, followed by the Greek Civil War, in which her father was killed when she was young. She was raised by her indomitable mother Maria. Eleni and her sisters were inseparable growing up in Mylotopos, where she and her future husband Vasilios also met as children.
Eleni left her close-knit family to join Vasilios in building a new life together in Canada. They began as poultry farmers in Grimsby, Ontario, before settling in Toronto where their children were born. They worked tirelessly to create a home filled with love. While Vasilios worked as a machinist at the General Electric plant, Eleni worked as a seamstress, raised two lively (“ζωηρά”; pronounced “zo-e-ra”) children, and was a steadfast support to family and friends. Eleni was also deeply devoted to her faith and always mentioned the sense of ease and joy when attending services. Although she was thrilled to be a doting yiayia to Calista and Penelope in her later years, she never stopped feeling the loss of her beloved husband.
In addition to Katherin, Mario, Amanda, Calista, and Penelope, Eleni's love and warmth will be missed by her surviving sisters Irini and Magdalini, siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, extended family members, and all those who were fortunate enough to experience her compassion and kindness.
Mama, we love you and will always miss you, but we know you are in a better place and can now spend all your days with Papa.
Visitation:
Friends and family may call at the Holy Trinity Panagia Grigoroussa Greek Orthodox Church at 54 Clinton Street, Toronto on Sunday, December 14, 2025, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Funeral Service:
Funeral Service will also take place at Holy Trinity Panagia Grigoroussa Greek Orthodox Church at 54 Clinton Street, Toronto, commencing at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, December 15, 2025. Burial to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery located at 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto.
Gathering:
Following the burial, a gathering will be held at Holy Trinity Panagia Grigoroussa Greek Orthodox Church, 54 Clinton Street, Toronto.