Panayota (Tota) Pothou Gritziotis

Panayota (Tota) Pothou Gritziotis passed away peacefully at Champlain Retirement Residence, Beloeil Quebec on April 24, 2021 at 94 years of age.  Much loved mother to Helen, George (Bettyann), and Gini.  Loving grandmother to Lucas (Stephanie), Nicholas, Christopher, and step grandmother to Wesley (Jennifer) and Kasie.  Proud to have many beautiful great-grandchildren.

Born on the island of Zakynthos, Greece to Haralambos and Eleni Pothou, Tota lived her childhood years in Thessaloniki, Greece through the devastations of the Second World War and shortly thereafter the Greek Civil War.  Encouraged by her mother, Tota traveled to England to be with her sister and brother in-law where she initially trained to become a nurse but eventually secured a job with the British Broadcasting Corporation. 

Tota was soon looking for more challenges and a better life.  In 1955, she immigrated to Canada, following some of her extended family, where she soon began working at the Royal Bank of Canada in Ottawa.   As a young Greek woman, she was naturally drawn to the Greek community where she met a young handsome Greek man, Steve Gritziotis, who was also looking for a better life.   They soon fell in love, got married, and by the early sixties had three children and settled into a new home in AltaVista.

But as life is not always perfect, their relationship ended amicably and life went on for Tota.  She loved and supported her children in their endeavours and encouraged them to be the best they can at whatever they took on in life. 

As a patriotic Greek and proud Canadian, Tota always made sure to celebrate the best of what both countries offered. It was common to celebrate Easter holiday twice in one week.

She was never at a loss for words, always had a story to share, nor was she never shy to give her honest and unedited opinion.  And if there was a difference of opinion, it would end with a hug and kiss.

While we are devastated to lose our wonderful mother, this quote from Stephen Colbert captures our feelings . . .

"And I know it may sound greedy to want more days with a person who lived so long, but the fact that my mother was in her 90s does not diminish, it only magnifies the enormity of the room whose doors have quietly shut."

We love you and will miss you Mummy . . .

Respecting Covid restrictions on gatherings, a private family service will be held on Tuesday May 4, 2021 at Beechwood Cemetery with Father Alex officiating the funeral service.

Arrangements entrusted to Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery, and Cremation Services (613-741-9530).  If you so wish, and in lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory to the Dormition of the Virgin Greek Orthodox Church (Hellenic Community of Ottawa) or the Dementia Society of Canada. You may make an online donation to the church or to the Dementia Society of Canada. In the DONATION NOTE please include In Memory of Panayota Gritziotis.