EVANGELINE MERCURY

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EVANGELINE MERCURY Evangeline Mercury passed away peacefully at the Poseidon Care Centre in the late evening on Friday, April 3, 2015 after a long and happy life. She was predeceased by her husband, John Mercury, in June 1990 and her son Aristotle (Telly) Mercury, in February 2010. She is survived by her son Michael Mercury of Winnipeg, (Maria) and her daughter Catherine Roussalis of Casper, Wyoming, (Dr. Louis Roussalis) and daughter-in-law, Nancy Mercury, widow of the late Aristotle Mercury. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: John Michael Mercury, John Paul Mercury, Evangelia Johns, James Mercury, Dr. John Roussalis, Alexandra Mercury, Angelique Roussalis and Mark Mercury and also by 11 great-grandchildren: Michael and George Johns; Michael, Nicholas and Alexander Mercury; Aris and Evan Mercury; Maria, Ika and Michael Fifita; and Grace Mercury. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Canada, the United States, Greece, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Evangeline was born on May 8, 1912 in the ancient Byzantine town of Mistras, Greece situated near the city of Sparta. She was the daughter of John and Vassiliki Babaletakis and sister to four brothers and one sister, all of whom predeceased her. On August 22, 1931 she was married in Greece to John Mercury of Rochester, New York. After a short stay in Rochester the couple settled in Winnipeg. In April 1933 Evangeline gave birth to her first son, Michael, and in September 1934 a second son, Aristotle (Telly). Their daughter Catherine was born in January 1941 in Toronto, Ontario where the couple had been living for five years. Evangeline and John bought the house at 81 Queenston Street in North River Heights in Winnipeg and this became the family home in which they raised and educated their children. The home was a happy place. Evangeline was a cheerful and gracious hostess who welcomed all with a warm smile. She had an infectious laugh which created a comfortable environment in which friends, relatives and guests could tell stories and jokes and could discuss all subjects openly and freely. Evangeline was a devoted wife and mother, a great sport, a person who was always young at heart and who had a gentle spirit. She avoided conflict, yet possessed an incredibly strong will. She did not have an ounce of malice in her soul. As a result she had a multitude of friends. She became a source of family entertainment when, in her early 80s, she acquired a video camera and became the family videographer filming family events as well as her extensive travels to Europe and Africa. One of the highlights of her 95th birthday was receiving personal hand-written letters of congratulations from United States President George W. Bush and United States Vice-President Dick Cheney. Evangeline became an active member of the Greek Community of Winnipeg from the time of her arrival in 1931. She became President of the Ladies Hellenic Club, President of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, (the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Church), and President of the Daughters of Penelope. Always proud of her Hellenic heritage, she was for many years a convenor at the Athens Pavilion of Winnipeg's Annual Folklorama Festival. At the time of her passing she was the eldest member of the Greek Community of Winnipeg. Evangeline died happy, rich in the knowledge that she was leaving behind a large closely-knit family filled with love, joy and respect. She knew that she had been blessed by God with good health, a devoted and loving husband and adoring children. Her passing should be viewed not as a sad occurrence but as an event to be celebrated for she indeed had a long, happy and full life. The family would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the nurses and members of the staff at the Poseidon Care Centre for the care and love they gave to our mother and with a special thank you to staff member Elaine Hofer. May her memory be eternal. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue in Winnipeg with the Rev. Konstantinos Tsiolas officiating with interment to follow at the Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church or to a charity of one's choice. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C 0X4 204-783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Apr 11, 2015

EVANGELINE MERCURY Evangeline Mercury passed away peacefully at the Poseidon Care Centre in the late evening on Friday, April 3, 2015 after a long and happy life. She was predeceased by her husband, John Mercury, in June 1990 and her son Aristotle (Telly) Mercury, in February 2010. She is survived by her son Michael Mercury of Winnipeg, (Maria) and her daughter Catherine Roussalis of Casper, Wyoming, (Dr. Louis Roussalis) and daughter-in-law, Nancy Mercury, widow of the late Aristotle Mercury. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: John Michael Mercury, John Paul Mercury, Evangelia Johns, James Mercury, Dr. John Roussalis, Alexandra Mercury, Angelique Roussalis and Mark Mercury and also by 11 great-grandchildren: Michael and George Johns; Michael, Nicholas and Alexander Mercury; Aris and Evan Mercury; Maria, Ika and Michael Fifita; and Grace Mercury. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Canada, the United States, Greece, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Evangeline was born on May 8, 1912 in the ancient Byzantine town of Mistras, Greece situated near the city of Sparta. She was the daughter of John and Vassiliki Babaletakis and sister to four brothers and one sister, all of whom predeceased her. On August 22, 1931 she was married in Greece to John Mercury of Rochester, New York. After a short stay in Rochester the couple settled in Winnipeg. In April 1933 Evangeline gave birth to her first son, Michael, and in September 1934 a second son, Aristotle (Telly). Their daughter Catherine was born in January 1941 in Toronto, Ontario where the couple had been living for five years. Evangeline and John bought the house at 81 Queenston Street in North River Heights in Winnipeg and this became the family home in which they raised and educated their children. The home was a happy place. Evangeline was a cheerful and gracious hostess who welcomed all with a warm smile. She had an infectious laugh which created a comfortable environment in which friends, relatives and guests could tell stories and jokes and could discuss all subjects openly and freely. Evangeline was a devoted wife and mother, a great sport, a person who was always young at heart and who had a gentle spirit. She avoided conflict, yet possessed an incredibly strong will. She did not have an ounce of malice in her soul. As a result she had a multitude of friends. She became a source of family entertainment when, in her early 80s, she acquired a video camera and became the family videographer filming family events as well as her extensive travels to Europe and Africa. One of the highlights of her 95th birthday was receiving personal hand-written letters of congratulations from United States President George W. Bush and United States Vice-President Dick Cheney. Evangeline became an active member of the Greek Community of Winnipeg from the time of her arrival in 1931. She became President of the Ladies Hellenic Club, President of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, (the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Church), and President of the Daughters of Penelope. Always proud of her Hellenic heritage, she was for many years a convenor at the Athens Pavilion of Winnipeg's Annual Folklorama Festival. At the time of her passing she was the eldest member of the Greek Community of Winnipeg. Evangeline died happy, rich in the knowledge that she was leaving behind a large closely-knit family filled with love, joy and respect. She knew that she had been blessed by God with good health, a devoted and loving husband and adoring children. Her passing should be viewed not as a sad occurrence but as an event to be celebrated for she indeed had a long, happy and full life. The family would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to the nurses and members of the staff at the Poseidon Care Centre for the care and love they gave to our mother and with a special thank you to staff member Elaine Hofer. May her memory be eternal. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue in Winnipeg with the Rev. Konstantinos Tsiolas officiating with interment to follow at the Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church or to a charity of one's choice. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C 0X4 204-783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Apr 10, 2015

EVANGELINE MERCURY The Mercury family announces the peaceful passing of Mrs. Evangeline Mercury on Friday, April 3, 2015 at the age of 103 years. A full obituary will follow. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Apr 7, 2015
Publish Date: Apr 10, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 11, 2015