Stavroyla (Voula) Giannoukakis

We are sad to share our mom passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday January 8th, a few days after entering her 98th year of life.

Voula (Stavroula) Giannoukakis was born in Lachanada, Greece in December of 1928. Like most from her generation life was difficult, she had to grow up quickly when as a 12 year old she lost her mother during WWII. She spent her teenage years and twenties looking after her beloved father Anastasi and her numerous nieces /nephews developing an incredible bond with them until her dying days. A week never went by without calls to and from Greece, Australia or the USA

She first came to Canada in 1956 via the non-luxurious SS Vulcania , landing in Halifax. She always commented the ship voyage was ok but never forgot the rollercoaster train ride to Toronto. She returned to Greece in 1962 to visit her family. While back in Lachanada, a young man named Theodoros set eyes on her and went to visit his future brother in law Panagiotis Robakis and declared that he wanted to marry Voula. They married in January, 1963 and set off to begin their new life in Toronto. The 2nd voyage was a bit more luxurious according to mom, she always commented “I think your dad ate more meat during that ship journey then he had in his previous 28 years”

Her passion and pride was centered around her children Tom (Athanasios) and his wife Frances and Tasis (Anastasios) and his wife BB. But her biggest joy in life was her 6 grandchildren – Theodore (Amanda), Marcus, Steven, Aris, Maria, and Dimitri. She always had an ample sample of $5 bills in her pockets for the pending grandchildren visits. We’re all going to especially miss the yiayia fries.

One of her last wishes was to attend her first grandchild’s wedding, which she got to do last May.

Her favourite thing life, was a simple one, she just loved talking to her friends/relatives/neighbours while enjoying her Greek coffees. Being a holy woman, she took full advantage of the abundance of Greek “yortes” as an excuse to make xprona polla calls. The greatest tribute we can pay her is how many times over the years we’d hear “you know your mom is my favourite aunt”

She is predeceased by her husband Ted, and siblings Eleni Katina and Panagiotis.

We would like to thank mom’s incredible caregiver Angela for helping make her quality of life so much more enjoyable over the last 8 years. Her devotion and love for our mother is something we will always remember and the mall food courts will miss them.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or a local food bank … or since mom enjoyed talking to people on the phone so much, she’d probably love it if you called 3 people in your life, after you read this and tell them how much they mean to you.

Funeral Service Details:

Visitation: 
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 
Sts. Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church 
11323 Warden Avenue, Markham, ON L6C 1M9
10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m.

Funeral Service: 
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Sts. Panteleimon Greek Orthodox Church
11323 Warden Avenue, Markham, ON L6C 1M9
11:00a.m.

Interment to follow: 
Final Resting place 
Elgin Mills Cemetery 
1591 Elgin Mills Rd, E, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M9
Section: 7