Obituary of Demitra Kodas

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother Demitra (Toula) Kodas, of Regina, SK, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Although small in stature, she was larger than life and a remarkable, strong, resilient, woman who touched the hearts and lives of countless people.

Toula was predeceased and is now reunited with her loving husband of forty years, George (2003); parents Dimitris and Maria Perentes; in-laws John and Eleni Kodellas; sister and brother-in-law Anna and Yiannis Kutsogiannis; sister Ekaterina Gouvousis; sister and brother-in-law Magdalene and Kosta Metritikas; brother-in-law Ilias Kouklis; and nephews Demitri Salapatas and Kostas Kutsogiannis.

Toula is survived by her three children Helen (Vassilis) Pafilis, Mary Kodas, and John (Angie) Kodas; her precious grandchildren Stavros Pafilis, and George and Demi Kodas.  Those who remain to celebrate her full life are her siblings John (Christine) Perentes of Regina and Petros (Eleni) Perentes of Greece; brothers and sister-in -laws Kosta (Kalliope) Kodellas of Winnipeg and Tony (Sophia) Kodellas of Regina; sister-in law Maria Kouklis of Greece; brother-in-law Kostadinos Gouvousis of Greece; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving extended family and friends both in Regina, Winnipeg, and in Greece.

Born in Kastri, Kinourias, Greece, Toula was the youngest of five siblings. In 1959 she decided to follow in her brothers’ footsteps and immigrated to Canada.  Young and alone, she left Greece seeking a better life.  She found work at places such as Deluxe Tailors, Dorothy Gould, and New York Tailors where she worked as a seamstress for many years.

She met the love of her life, George Kodas, and together they worked hard and started their family. Toula being the amazing homemaker and excellent cook, and George running Three Stars Restaurant, together they built a life full of happiness and love.  Family was always the number one priority.  Working in their garden was their precious hobby together, while having a morning coffee at A&W was their favourite start to a day during retirement. 

After George’s death, Toula continued to show her strength, independence and sometimes stubbornness as the head matriarch of the family.  She loved driving….fast!  It was a sad day when she had to give up her license.  That didn’t stop her from being a back seat driver.  When her sisters-in-law arrived from Greece, she told them that she would drive them around for one year but after that they needed to learn how to drive. She insisted on women being independent.

Toula was heavily involved in the Greek community volunteering at Mosaic, a member of the Ladies of Philoptochos Society and a member of the Daughters of Penelope, both charitable organizations associated with St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. She was a woman of faith and loved her church and especially respected her spiritual leaders Father Nicholas and Father Spyro. 

Besides her grandchildren, she took great pride in her large garden and flowers. We could not have a summer without garden tomatoes!  We certainly will miss the delicious spanakopites she made with homemade puff pastry but will try to replicate her recipe. She was a loving mother, and grandmother, and will be greatly missed.

Our family would like to thank Fr. Spyridon Vandoros for all his support, comfort, and spiritual guidance throughout the years. Special thanks also to Dr. Zarkovic, Dr. Kontsiotis, and Dr. Udoh for their many years of genuine compassionate care and dignity to our mother.  Plus, thank you to Dr. Johnson, Dr. Ali, and to all the nurses on 3B Oncology Unit and 3A Palliative Unit.  A special thank you to Nurse Ashley for all her love and support of our family and for taking special care of our mother.  Equally important, thank you to all the Nurses and Care Aides with the Palliative Care Team that kept Toula comfortable and dignified in her last weeks at home. 

Finally, the family would like to thank Toula’s amazing sisters-in-law and friends who always provided her with fresh baking, support, and daily phone calls.  Most importantly, mom loved her special niece, Maria Fourlas, who was like another daughter to her.

Prayers will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 10:00 am. Both will take place at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road, with Rev. Fr. Spyridon Vandoros officiating. Interment to follow at Regina Memorial Gardens.

The family kindly requires you to wear a MASK to the funeral service.  Those wishing to watch online may view at https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsGOCRegina/

Flowers most gratefully declined.  Friends and family so wishing may make memorial donations, in Toula’s name, to Allan Blair Cancer Centre, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK S4T 7T1 or to St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road, Regina, SK, S4S 2B2.  Otherwise, we ask that family and friends celebrate Toula’s amazing life by performing an act of kindness for someone else in order to honour Toula’s life.  May her memory be eternal.