Sophie Evangelia Patsicakis of White Rock BC passed away on January 21st 2024, just a few months short of her 102nd birthday.
Sophie was born April 6th, 1922, in Alexandria, Egypt to her beloved father, George Nicolaidis of Volos Greece, a barrister, and Ketty Antonatou of Kefalonia Greece. Her mother was one of eight children who evaded the burning of Smyrna city and went to Egypt. Sophie married Joachim (Mimis) Patsicakis and had two children George (Vivian) and Niovi (Alain). She had one grandchild, Elina (Karim) who brought her much joy and pride.
Sophie was predeceased by her parents, her husband, two of her half sisters, her beloved niece, Rita Simarzi, her auntie Photini, wife of uncle Aristotelis Nicolaidis, and their son George. As well, Sophie greatly missed two other cousins she was very close to - Stella Neranzi and Elly Perez. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her children, granddaughter, cousin Yannis Nicolaidis (Aliki), nieces Andro Spirou (Nicolas) and Poly Karamali, great-nephews Fotis (Patricia), Costas, and Aristotelis as well as other family from Hungary on her mom’s side.
She was a very sociable person who had many friends in Montreal and in Greece who will also be missing her smile. She had a thirst for life and a great love for Greece where she spent many happy summers with family and friends, often spending the day at the beach and swimming in the Mediterranean. She loved Athens and its lifestyle as she had lived there in her teens, attending Arsakios school for girls.
Sophie was kind, always with a smile and a pleasant demeanour. She led an extraordinary life of adventure as well as service to her community. She volunteered in Greece during WWII with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) driving an ambulance, delivering and taking stock of supplies where needed. While in Egypt, she developed her language skills, receiving a certificate of English proficiency from Michigan State University. She was an avid reader, also took sewing and painting lessons, enjoyed cinema and dancing.
Sophie immigrated to Montreal in 1964 where she worked part-time at Eaton’s department store and as a recreation planner for a seniors club where she shared her talent for crafts and art. Then she worked as a translator and assistant for a pediatrician working in the Greek community, work she loved and found very rewarding. She spoke five languages.
A very strong and independent woman, Sophie lived on her own until her mid-90s when she moved to British Columbia to be near her daughter Niovi and her family. While she lived on her own, she had the support and love of a private care aid and friend, Theresa who her family thanks. The family also thanks Ikha and Raquel for their caregiving as well as all those who cared for and supported Sophie at the Evergreen Community.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on February 3rd, 2024, 11:00 am, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 15115 Roper Avenue White Rock, BC. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. Sophie will find her final resting place with her beloved husband at Mount Royal cemetery.