Giannoula (Anna) Panopoulos

January 1, 1932 – September 3, 2024 

Anna’s was a News Years baby, one of six born to Panogiotis and Olympia Katasabanis. They lived in the now abandoned community of Katsabaneika, among the mountains of the Peloponnese.

But it would be on the flatlands of Canada where she would live most of her life doing what she valued most; being a mother and cooking for her family and anyone else who visited any of the many eating establishments that she and her husband operated over the years.

Anna was in grade 3 when the Second World War reached Greece. She was the only girl and, as was customary at the time, she was kept home to help her mother with the chores and to raise the boys.

Adonis, one of the younger brothers, died while still a toddler, which had a profound effect on Anna. As did being taken out of school.

“Not being able to read and write fluently,” she said the week before she died, “makes life boring”.
Yet, because of her innate intelligence, her learned work ethic and the challenge of leaving Greece, life would never be boring.

Anna met and married George Panopoulos in 1957 when she was 25. Their first child, Athina, was born a year later. Greece had been left impoverished by war, and George was compelled to temporarily leave his young family to make a new home for them in Canada where some of his siblings had already settled in Winnipeg.

In March 1960, Anna and baby Athina flew first to Paris, where a kind stranger helped her navigate the unfamiliar airport, to a plane bound for Canada.

It was late winter in Winnipeg when Anna arrived wearing stylish shoes not fit for frozen streets.

Her two younger brothers would join her later and together with Anna’s husband they would all create a culinary landmark in the city. They named their Greek restaurant Homers.
It was there, at the gateway to the city’s West End, where Anna’s gift and passion for cooking and baking would flourish. Between her talents as a chef and her husband’s grilling skills — that would lead to his creation of chicken souvlaki – people would line up to get into, Homers. Western Living magazine would name it the best Greek restaurant at the time in Western Canada.

Anna found purpose and identity in the kitchen and whether she was cooking at Homers or at home, people were always asking her to share her recipes or, better yet, to write a cookbook.
Initially the young family lived in a Sherbrook Street rooming house where all Anna had to cook dinner with was a hotplate.
Her first paying job was sewing at the Freed and Freed factory, where she quickly learned she had to be quick; because her paycheck was dependent on how many garments she successfully completed.

Back then, Anna would wake two-year-old Athina when it was still dark, and mother daughter would walk together to Aunt Mary Ginakes’s apartment where Athina would be cared for every workday.

Anna always remembered that daily walk in the darkness and cold and how her tired toddler would stop, reach up to her and plea in little-girl Greek.
“Hug and carry me, Mama.”
And Anna would carry her.

Within two years of arriving in Winnipeg she and George were able to purchase their own home and in another two years they welcomed a second child; a boy they named Themistoklis (Themi).

“If I could come to new country, with a babe in arms, one suitcase and not knowing the language,” Anna would later remind her children. “Then anyone can succeed.”
Anna would model her own values of fairness kindness, forgiveness and honesty.

“As long as I told the truth,” Athina recalled about what her mother taught her, ‘it was ok. At least she knew what I was doing, and she could counsel me.”
Athina remembered another trait.
Selflessness.

Her mother purchased a piano for her children before she purchased a washing machine.

“And she had a wicked sense of humour,” Themi said.
Which he inherited.

Despite her lack of formal education, her insatiable curiosity, combined with an extraordinary memory and engagement with the world– Anna acquired an astonishing amount of general knowledge and wisdom.

To Themi his mother was like a human “Google”.

Despite Anna’s Parkinson’s Disease and other health issues that she battled, until near the end she was fortunate to be able to remain at home, thanks to the to the continuous care and emotional support of her son.

Giannoula (Anna) Panopoulos passed on Sept. 3, 2024, at the St. Boniface hospital in the presence of her children and Father Nikolaus Tambakis.
She was 92.

Days before her life ended, Anna reminded her children to be kind and fair to others, always be best friends and stay connected with their cousins.

Anna had been more than a mother to Athina and Themi. She had been their best friend.

Anna is survived by her daughter Athina Panopoulos and her husband Gordon Sinclair Jr., her son Themistoklis (Themi) Panopoulos, her brother George Katsabanis (Jutta), brother Sam Katsabanis (Simone), grandchildren Erin Kangas and Ian Sinclair (Brittany Magus Sinclair) great grandchildren Jacob Kangas and Sevi Sinclair, and all her adoring nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George and brothers Vassillis Katasabanis, Demetrios Katasabanis and Adonis Katsabanis.

The family would like to personally thank the St. Boniface Hospital, department 4E where she received exceptional compassionate care, also Dr. T. Wong, Dr. S. Udow and Dr. S Domkey. Her children are especially, grateful to Rev. Fr. Nikolaus Tambakis for his extraordinary support.

Pallbearers are Tony Katsabanis, Peter Katasabanis, James Katasabanis, Peter Katsabanis, Vasilis Schindle, and George Zacharopoulos.

The funeral service will be held on Monday September 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Greek Orthodox Church at 2255 Grant.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Manitoba Hellenic Cultural Centre, care of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave., R3P 0S2 or to Parkinson Canada.