Dear family and friends, thank you for coming here today to remember and honour our beloved Eleni. Or Elenitsa, to those who knew her well.
From humble beginnings, in the small town of Kythrea in Cyprus, it didn't take long for the young Eleni to discover her strengths and her passions in life. As with many girls at the time, she was taken out of school by about the age of 10, to help provide for her family. She entered into an apprenticeship, of sorts, to learn to be a seamstress. Like most things she put her mind to, she excelled. Eleni developed an enduring bond and friendship with her mentor, graciously accepting the opportunity to teach younger girls her skills. This was the beginning of a lifelong love of beautiful clothing, but not necessarily with the fleeting trends of fashion or adornment. Eleni was a humble, unpretentious person, who had a great fondness for well designed and beautifully crafted things.
As other family members were busy in the fields, young Eleni also took on the responsibility of running the household. She quickly refined her skills in the kitchen and was to uncover another great passion, that of cooking and baking. What was borne out of necessity at first, proved to be the perfect vehicle for her to share her love, through the nurturing which takes place so naturally at the dinner table. Having the opportunity to cook for family and friends was to become a truly joyful experience. While Eleni rarely used recipes and may not have had a huge repertoire, everything she did was done with an exceptional attention to detail, obvious warmth and unbridled enthusiasm.
Eleni's fastidious approach was not limited to her cooking efforts alone, it became evident in virtually all of her endeavours. In how she painstakingly scrutinized every single piece of fresh produce before purchase, or then washed them so thoroughly that even microbes feared her zeal for cleanliness. From the way that clothes were hung on the line in a very particular, carefully considered manner, to the military precision of how towels and sheets were to be folded and stored, ever so neatly, and always with the gentle folded edge facing forward. Her relationship to the often disliked task of ironing was quite extraordinary. She approached this with such energy and purpose, essentially elevating it to an art-form. Eleni was a domestic goddess, well before the term was even coined. What others saw as a chore, she would view as an opportunity to do something exceptionally well and to express her deep love of her family.
With the rise in political and cultural tensions in Cyprus, the lure of bright, fresh opportunities beckoned. Eleni, along with her mother and younger siblings, followed the bold path of her father, some 7 years earlier, to journey to Australia. Not one given to excessive introspection, nor the squandering of attractive invitations, Eleni would accept the hand of an enchanted, young man, Phidias, which would turn out to be a monumental decision. They would share the joys and heartaches of life's amazing journey, along a path that would span an exceptional 64 years together, their love and devotion for each other seemingly only growing stronger as the years progressed. They would go on to have 3 adoring sons and 6 greatly cherished grandchildren.
Life in the big city of Sydney could not have been more different than the little town, where Eleni grew up. Yet, with little hesitation and virtually no knowledge of English, she threw herself into work, sewing clothes for a local garment house. Eleni was strengthened and emboldened by her ambitious husband, and like so many other migrants, they would embark upon their own venture, purchasing a newsagency, not far from here, in Cleveland Street. While Eleni's ambitions were always family-focused, she was an incredibly industrious woman who took to every task with fervor. She acquired some basic English language skills, as a matter of course. The couple worked hard and unforgiving hours, but they leant on each other for support and were to foster, what would become a successful and enduring family business, which would grow and transform over the years.
Raising a family on such a busy thoroughfare, was a potentially dangerous proposition, and with a third child soon on the way, Eleni and Phidias opted for more secure, homely surroundings. They sold the shop and moved into a rather modest and ramshackle flat, which nonetheless had access to a mysterious, unkempt garden. Here, Eleni would be more in her natural environment, taking care of her husband and three spirited boys. After a number of years of extreme domesticity, the couple acquired a rather neglected, but excellently positioned corner store. Again, the hours and the workload were ridiculous, but now there were a few more shop assistants on hand. The growing boys may have eaten their weight in ice-cream, cakes and sweets, as their dental bills attested, but they also contributed to the running of the shop, if sometimes begrudgingly. It was to become, a true family business.
The shop was enlarged and completely refurbished, becoming a favourite destination for many locals. Eleni's modest grasp of English would expand exponentially, as she became an integral part of the business, knowing many customers by name and happily exchanging pleasantries. Thankfully, her memory proved to be quite exceptional, as she seemed to instantly recall the exact price of hundreds of products, which was a great skill, when labels went missing and barcodes were nonexistent. The little corner store would acquire a reputation for being wonderfully friendly and helpful, stocking nearly anything you could require.
After nearly a decade running such an all-consuming business, the family opted to move on. They procured another property, which was also in urgent need of major remediation work. It was a sprawling, old house with a generous garden. Eleni transformed again from business owner to homemaker, helping create and maintain their dream home. As the opportunity presented itself, she rediscovered her love of gardening and became very adept at nurturing a flourishing collection of plants and trees.
Nurturing really was an integral part of who Eleni was, it was hard-wired in her DNA. She was an incredibly warm and caring person, who brought out the best in people and effortlessly made them feel comfortable in her presence. She did not demand a great deal from anyone, but appreciated a genuine openness and willingness to connect. Of course, bringing a generous appetite to her table was absolutely essential.
During her long and difficult years battling the ravages of dementia, Eleni was able to maintain many of the wonderful qualities, which made her such a special person. Despite her memory fading and the crippling impairment of her many exceptional abilities, her innocence, lightness and generosity of spirit would remain resolute and unbreakable. She endeared herself with dignity and grace, not only to those near and dear to her, but also the many people who casually crossed her path.
Whilst Eleni, with her beautiful shining eyes and embracing smile, may not be amongst us in person any longer, she is, and will remain, in our thoughts and in our hearts. We will carry a part of her with us, always. She was, above all else, a genuinely good person and we are all the poorer for her loss.