Mrs. Katrina (Katie) Kalatzis

Obituary

peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, August 17, 2015 in Toronto at the age of 84. Born in Athens, Greece on June 19th, 1931. Beloved wife of the late Vasilios “Bill” Kalatzis (2006). Loving mother of Nicolas (Luciana), Stephen and Jim. Cherished grandmother to Emily, Alexandra, Jonathan, Patrick and Brandon who she raised as a special needs foster child. Dear aunt to Patricia, Betty, Peter and Nicholas. Katie and Bill arrived in Halifax via ship in 1955 and then took a train to Toronto with 2 suitcases to start a new life in a new country. As a young woman she started sorting and stuffing cushions. With the help of fellow employees on off hours, she learned how to sew cushions. It was hard factory work and many years of perseverance. There was a lot of over time work which she never turned down in order for her boys to have the little extra things. Years later she was promoted to head operator in her department and voted in as shop steward. She was so proud to have worked at Barrymore Furniture which was an industry leader then and still is today. After retirement, Katie worked tirelessly with the Canadian Hellenic Greek Chapter. She was an outstanding member of her local church, Sts. Constantine & Helen. She cooked, baked and delivered food to the elderly who did not have any luxuries, extended family or friends and she kept them company. She also drove 3 to 4 times a week to visit Greek Hellenic Centre for Seniors, arriving with Greek delicacies and assisted seniors outside to the garden for fresh air and sunshine. Affectionately known as Mrs. K., she always loved to have her son’s friends at the house with food aplenty. She only worked one way and had one speed. OVERDRIVE. She stressed 2 things. Get a good education or learn a trade and you'd better be very good at both or excellent at one. That was her mantra to her 3 sons. Proud of her family, Nicolas (wife Luciana) have owned an iconic luxury Men's & Women's store in Yorkville for over 30 years. Stephen, now retired was former owner of Stephen K. Hair Salon and Co-Founder of Hair Force and toured Europe & U.S.A. with the late Alexandre de Paris in 1984. Youngest son Jim is also self employed and a master mechanic. Katie lived to see them thrive. Visitations will be held at Cardinal Funeral Home, 92 Annette St. (east of Keele) on Sunday, August 23rd and Monday, August 24th from 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Prayers on Monday at 6 p.m. An Orthodox Rite of Funeral will be held at the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1 Brookhaven Dr. on Tuesday, August 25th at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Sanctuary Park Cemetery (Royal York & Lawrence). In lieu of flowers donations in Katie's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation

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Burial / Entombment / Cremation