We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Yiannoula Jennie Caragianakos, who passed away peacefully on September 30, 2024 at the age of 89 years old. Jennie was a devoted wife to John (late), loving mother to Peter (late) and wife Tracy, Steve and wife Kristina, Sam and wife Kim, and Chris and wife Wendy.

She also leaves behind her many cherished grandchildren (8) and great grandchildren (6), who simply adored her and whom she loved with all her heart…grandchildren John, Jennifer, John, Jonathan, Christopher, Nicole, Alexa, Stevie, and great grandchildren Lily, Alyssa, Callie, Peter, Gia, and Angelina.

Born in Dafni, Greece in 1935 to Efstratios and Panagiota
Dalianis, she was the youngest of four siblings, Paraskevi (late), Katerina (late) and Dimitri (late). Yiannoula came to Canada at the age of 18 with hopes of a bright new life, and her first job in Canada was as a nanny and housekeeper to a very loving Jewish family, who simply adored her. She then met her soon to be husband, John. She began working at the same restaurant as he, at 111 Richmond Street. They married in 1956 and together they bought that restaurant. Throughout the years they owned several successful restaurants including 7 Star Bakery, Johnny’s Restaurant, The Alps, Poor Boys, High Park Submarine, and lastly, The Grenadier Restaurant in High Park, of which Mom retired from at age 75 years old.

An astute business woman and extremely hard worker, Yiannoula and John were also pillars of their community, always donating and giving generously to anyone in need and anyone who asked. Their generosity knew no bounds and collectively and individually they received countless prestigious awards, including the Order of Canada. But their generosity was never for recognition, as they never refused a soul in need looking for a hot meal at one of their restaurants. We all knew, as did the staff, that anyone who walked into the restaurant and said they were hungry but couldn’t pay, was well fed. Each and every year, Christmas Day was not for opening presents, it was a day for opening the restaurant and providing a free Christmas meal to anyone who was hungry, in need, lonely or alone.

Yiannoula’s greatest legacy however was her fierce love and devotion to her family. Her sons were her pride and joy and her daughters-in-law were her daughters. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her immense and pure joy.

Having never once let any one of us down at any time, she was our rock. If we were sick she healed us, if we were sad she comforted us, if we were tired she shouldered us, if we were lonely she held us, if we were in need she saved us, if we were lost she found us. She celebrated all our wins, and she soothed our losses. There was never a time that any one us needed her that she wasn’t there, front and centre, ready to help us in any way she could. She was our strength, she was our comfort and she was our saviour.

She lived such a good and full life, and everybody who knew her simply loved her. Now she rests in the loving arms of God, to whom she was always faithful, beside her beloved husband, John, her dear son, Peter and her natural family. Even at 89 years old, we don’t know how we will go on without her. We will miss her warm and beautiful smile, her funny and charming wit, and her limitless love and devotion. She will remain in our hearts forever and always, and she will never, ever be forgotten.

Rest in peace Jennie, you lived a good life and you truly earned it.

We will love you always.



Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 136 Sorauren Avenue, on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 11am. Interment will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hellenic home.