Society of Kastorians “Omonoia” Toronto
Born in Kastoria, Greece to Evanthia and Theodore on October 10, 1920, Afrodite (Diti) was the middle child of 11 children.Diti loved her 4 brothers and 6 sisters, all of whom maintained a close bond and admiration for each other throughout their lives and despite the miles that separated many of them.
Diti completed high school in Kastoria and went on to study at a local seamstress school where she learned exquisite sewing skills and pattern making.
Fashion was an early passion for Diti, and when she was asked to accompany her youngest brother Basil to travel to Paris to join their older brothers in their furrier business, Diti jumped at the opportunity.
In Paris, Diti refined her fashion talents further and soon earned a reputation for her skills and ability to finish coats with an intricate attention to detail and special flourishes.
In Paris, Diti also perfected her life-long culinary ability by learning how to cook both French and Greek dishes: two very different cuisines that she brought together effortlessly, long before fusion cooking became a thing.
It was very fitting that Diti met the love of her life, Demetrios (“Jimmy”) in the City of Love.
When her brothers decided to move their business to Canada, Diti and Jimmy soon followed.
Married in Montreal, the happy newlyweds journeyed to Toronto to honeymoon and never left. In Toronto, Diti and Jimmy bought a home on Symington Ave. where they raised their 2 daughters, Eleni and Daphne.
After 21 years of love and devotion, Jimmy’s sudden passing was a great loss to his loving wife and teenage daughters.
Throughout the remaining chapters of Diti’s life there were many special times and occasions for joy, but the 2015 passing of Diti’s younger daughter Daphne was a deep and saddening loss.
During the past several years, Diti assumed the matriarch role in her family. She was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Eleni, and adored by her many nieces and nephews.
Diti had affectionate memories of her youth in Greece and told great stories of a life well lived, always with a sparkle in her eye.
Living to her 100th year with acuity and wit still intact, Diti will fondly be remembered for so many things. Her delicious meals, incredible cooking and baking were famous in the family. The laughter she inspired with her stories and the discerning and humorous observations she gifted to her friends and family were contagious.
The close and loving bond she maintained as the matriarch of her extended family was indeed a special one.
At this sad time, the family is greatly comforted in their faith that Diti is peacefully reunited in her passing in the loving embrace of her husband Jimmy and her devoted daughter Daphne. In her final hours, Diti felt them very close by. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
Friends and family are invited to join an online livestream of the funeral service on Saturday, February 6 at 9:30am at the link below.
arbormemorial.ca
