April 27, 1932 – September 6, 2020
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Mary (Maria), our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on September 6, 2020. She left us peacefully at her residence with her family at her side in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was in her 88th year.
Mary is survived by her loving children Phyllis (Douglas), Athena (Nicholas) and Peter. Proud Yiayia (Grandmother) of Stephen, Zoe, Theadora, Demetra and Alexandra.
Daughter of Themistocles and Athena (Plessas) Panopoulos, Mary was predeceased by her devoted husband Demos (Jimmy), her brothers George (Anna) and Tom (Christina), sister Giota (Michael) and niece Jeanne. She will be missed by her surviving sisters Rita (John) Lambriathou, Sofia (Kosta) Voulgaris, brothers-in-law John (Gloria) Ginakes, Perry (Tulla) Ginakes, sisters-in-law Tasia (John) Boosalis, Katherine (Clem) Samouris, Mary D. A. Ginakes (Demos) and special friends Annaliza and Rose. Mary is fondly remembered by cousins, nephews, nieces and friends across Canada, the USA, Greece and South America.
Born in Kardama, Elias, Greece on April 27, 1932, she witnessed incredible changes to her world, having served at a children’s hospital after WW2 in Athens, Greece as a nurse. Mary followed her dream to travel and immigrated to Canada post-war in 1954 where she was welcomed to Winnipeg by Ann and Peter Buzunis and soon after met her future husband Demos (Jimmy) P. Ginakes. Together Mary and Jimmy created a legacy of warm hospitality in the Winnipeg restaurant industry like no other for over sixty years. They began as a couple, along with her brother Tom, first acquiring the Manhattan Restaurant (1956) on Portage Avenue, then purchasing Danny’s Quick Lunch (1960) followed by the Thunderbird restaurants (1961/1963) and the Rib Shack restaurants. During recent years she found great joy in being an integral part of the Pony Corral Restaurants alongside her family.
Committed to preserving her Hellenic culture, Mary was a long-standing member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Daughters of Penelope. She enjoyed many wonderful years traveling to Florida and returning to vacation in her homeland of Greece accompanied by her husband, children and grandchildren. Mary’s dedication to her church, family and friends will forever be cherished. She left an imprint with her unconditional love and care to all who entered her life. Mary embodied the true spirit of the Greek word “philoxenia” for her hospitable and welcoming nature. Her generosity, her kindness and loving nature will never be forgotten. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all her home care assistants who provided exceptional care, love, and compassion to Yiayia Mary for many years up to her final days.
Prayers will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave. Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 10 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Live stream and videos of the prayers and funeral service will be broadcast. Please visit www.stdemetrioschurch.com for YouTube instructions.
*Due to COVID-19, masks are mandatory and social distancing plus limitations in attendance will apply.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made “In memory of Mary Ginakes” to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave, Winnipeg MB, R3P 0S2 or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba at 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB, R3C 4G2.
17 thoughts on “Mary (Panopoulos) Ginakes”
sorry to hear about your mom passing away great lady from Louis Hendrickson’s long time friend of Jimmy, john, and buzunis family. rest sweet lady, mother gramma.
My deepest condolences Peter. Your mother was truly kind.
Andreas (Rico) Christodoulides
Ο Θεός να την αναπαυσει,τα συλλυπητήρια μας.
My sincerest condolences to dear Mary’s entire family. May God in heaven rest her soul and grant all of you peace and strength to remember her always with tender love and gratitude.
With all my love,
KATHERINA ADAMOPOULOU
Kalymnos, Greece.
Dear Cousins Phyllis, Athena and Peter, words cannot express the great sorrow and massive void we all feel at the loss of dear Aunt Mary. She was a loving, caring, kind and gentle soul and I know she is now in heaven with Uncle Jimmy at rest and full of peace and love for all of us. May your loss and grief be assuaged by the many wonderful memories you have of your mother. May her memory be eternal! Zoe Se Mas! (Life To Us).
Cousin Dino Buzunis, San Diego, California
Dear Phyllis, Athena, Peter and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends! Aunt Mary was a loving, compassionate and vibrant lady so full of love and who always greeted us with hugs and lots of kisses. She was a blessing and her memory becomes a treasure, the loss is immeasurable but so is the love Aunt Mary left behind! Forever in our hearts! May her Memory Be Eternal!
Dear Phyllis, Athena and Peter and families
I’m very sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. She was a great lady and you all took very good care of her. My thoughts are with you. Jane Mayer
My sincere condolences to Phyllis and family. I will always remember your Mom for her kindness and neighbourly friendship. Always invited over for the best cookies ever! Childhood memories for me will always hold in my heart the wonderful years we were friends and neighbours. I am truly sorry for your loss Phyllis, Athena and Peter and all your family.
Out deepest condolences.
We will always remember the many times we met her.
She was a wonderful person. So proud of her family.
She will be missed
Steve Ashton and Hari Dimitrakopoulou-Ashton
Dear Phyllis, Athena, Peter and families,
We are sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved mother and yiayia. The Greek community as well has lost a valuable, faithful, kind and irreplaceable member.
Our sincere condolences. May her memory be eternal.
Freda and Leo Tsouras
Our deep condolences for the loss in your wonderful family
Stella and Takis Iacovides
Dear Phyllis [Doug], Athena [Nick], Peter and family
Kerry and I send our deepest sympathies to each and everyone of you. Growing up Thea Mary was like a second Mother to me. Some of my fondest childhood memories are when I would stay with Uncle Demos and Aunt Mary and cousins over on Lincrest. Tasting my first home made soup, Avgolemeno soup ……..for breakfast no less. (Who knew you could eat soup morning, noon and night). Going to Lake Winnipeg with all the family as well as attending many family get-togethers and Christmas parties, eating, singing and dancing into the wee hours of the morning at their home. Their door was always open. Aunt Mary was loved by all who met her and she will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace and may her memory be eternal.
Tim & Kerry Buzunis
Dear Phyllis, Athena, Peter and family,
Aunt Mary was an amazing and loving part of our family. I cannot think of her without a flood of wonderful memories from my childhood. I pray you find some measure of peace in your time of mourning knowing how very much she loved you all and how incredibly proud she was of her beautiful children and grandchildren. Sending our love and prayers during this difficult time. A remarkable woman who will forever live in our hearts.
Nia Buzunis Killebrew and family
To the entire family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of meeting Mary on several occasions at her residence to spend time with her over the years. I have to say she was one of the most gentle and kind souls I’ve ever met. It was a pleasure helping care for her.
Wendy Lowey
Our prayers and deepest condolences to Phyllis, Athena, and Peter, and their families for the loss of their wonderful mother Mary. You will always be remembered Mary. Rest in Peace.
Dear Phyllis, Athena and Peter,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Thea Mary was a special lady who will be fondly remembered by all who were fortunate to know her.
Our thoughts are with you and you families at this difficult time.
With all our love,
Ted and Eileen Fatouros
So very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, as well as your Dad’s ! Many fond memories of coming over to your place to hang out with Athena. Blessings to all of you.