Stephanie Yerakis
December 23, 2022
January 7, 1925 – December 22, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother and Yiayia (grandmother), Stephanie Yerakis, nee Danyluk on Dec 22nd, 16 days short of her 98th birthday.
Stephanie was predeceased by her beloved husband John on December 20, 1972, parents Alexander and Justyna Danyluk, siblings Peter and Hanka Danyluk, Marion and Nick Derry and Anne and Joe Shuper, and son-in-law, Anastasios Antoniou. She is survived by her son Ilarion-George and daughters, Katherine Antoniou and Nicki and husband John Clearwater along with 10 grandchildren: Katerina (Stelios), Stephanie, Michael (Maria), John, Maria (Thodoris), Raeanne (Ryan), Kristin (Quinn), Justyne (Ran), Tyler (Andrea), Alex (Wesley) and 8 great grandchildren, Nicole, Anastasia, Kyriaki, George, Katerina, Kyriaki, Jace, Everly.
Steffie grew up in the heart of the North End. She was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage and enjoyed making perogies and holopchi for her family. She loved to tell stories about how as kids, they used to raid gardens to get potatoes to roast over a fire and how they’d have charcoal all over their face, playing kick the can and getting yelled at by her mother for being a daredevil climbing trees!
Stephanie worked all of her adult life in the food industry, continuing into her 80’s working catering part time. She worked at C.Kelekis Restaurant and then Willie’s where she met the love of her life, John Yerakis. They had a wonderful life working together in their own restaurant, The Denver and their flower shop, Metropolitan Florist Shop. They had a beautiful home on Garfield St where they raised their 3 children. When she married her “Johnny the Greek” she embraced the Greek culture and enthusiastically learned how to cook new dishes from his aunt to continue the traditions of the Greeks of Asia Minor.
After Dad’s passing, Steffie worked various jobs and loved to share her memories of her time at the Carleton Club and Manitoba Club. After retirement, Steffie continued to be a force of nature. Life with her was never a dull moment. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, crafts and cooking and fully embraced being a Yiayia to her grandchildren. She loved to recall stories of the years she babysat all 3 of her Pookie Mookies – Raeanne, Kristin and Justyne.
Steffie lived independently till age 95 and then moved into Nicki and John’s home where she continued to show off her Ukrainian and Greek corners, reminisced about her many friends, fun times and travels to Greece.
Thank you to her homecare nurses, the Family Managed Homecare program and to the amazing and loving staff from OZ Loving Care who took such great care of her in her final year. We are most grateful for the dignity and love you provided her.
Mom/Yiayia, you will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. May your memory be eternal.
Funeral will be held Tuesday, December 27th at 12:00 noon at St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave. Lunch will be served following interment at Chapel Lawn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Stephanie Yerakis January 7 1925 – December 22 2022 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Voyage Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba