GIOTA (PANOPOULOS) DOUSSIS (1929 - 2011)

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GIOTA (PANOPOULOS) DOUSSIS (1929 - 2011) 81 Years. Mother and grandmother, Giota, was reunited with her sweet daughter Jeanne, on January 21, 2011. Mom was born in Amaliatha, southern Greece, where the family farm is still used. She was one of four blonde, blue eyed sisters; mom said people came from miles around just to catch a glimpse of these rare "xanthi" Greek girls. Mom became a seamstress in Athens, then in Winnipeg. She would later in life start a home based sewing business in St. Andrews. Mom and dad were mavericks and free-spirits of the 1950s. They set out for America by ship to chase their dreams. They settled in Winnipeg, and married in 1955 - she and her "Porky" lived together for 56 years. In the 1960s and 1970s, mom worked with dad at our Red Pony Drive-Inn Restaurant - the days of the Juke box and car-hops. Mom lived in the city, but her heart was still country. She was always scouting for dandelion leaves, boiling them like spinach, adding olive oil and lemon - "horta" in our home was a staple. Gardening was her passion. When they lived in Florida, the aroma of orange tree blossoms and gardenias would drift across the yard. She collected seashells by the bagfuls and glued them onto flowerpots. Her gardens were full of flowers, vegetables, and hens and chicks. She was devoted to her family. A kind and gentle soul, mom's body was strong, but she was affected by Alzheimer's disease. Her feisty independent nature endured till the end. Giota is survived by her husband Michael (Mihalis) Doussis of 57 years; daughter Victoria (Doussis) Schindle and husband Ben, grandchildren Vasilis, Antonia, Mihalis Schindle and Andrea Doussis; her beautiful sisters Mary Ginakes, Sofia Voulgaris, Rita Lambriadou; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Demetra (Jeanne) Doussis, and two brothers Tom and George Panopoulos. The funeral will be held Monday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave. The interment will be at Brookside Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2011