Obituary of Athena Psarras (nee Foustanellas)

Born August 30, 1950, in Neon Karlovasi, Samos, Athena Psarras (nee Foustanellas) passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021 in Ottawa. Daughter of the late Maria and Alexandros Foustanellas. Beloved wife of Jim Psarras, and their two children which she loved very much, Eleni (Ntinos Agadakis) and Andreas. Cherished grandmother to Evangelina-Maria "Lia" and Athena-Maria "Atharia." Sister to Diamantis Foustanellas (Toula) and the late Peter Foustanellas (Evaggelia). Also survived by her brother-in-law John (Elpinike), sister-in-law Bessie Antoniou (late Kostas) and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Athena came to Canada in 1967 at age 17 and worked in Angelos Restaurant on Somerset St. The owners Aspasia and Angelis were like parents to her. She also worked in a clothing factory on Bank St. and was an excellent seamstress, making her own clothes and her children's clothes as well. In 1974 Athena moved to Pembroke, where her husband with his brother John opened a restaurant, the JJ Pizza Palace. She was a driving force in the restaurant business; the customers loved her for her beautiful smile. She was an excellent wife, a fantastic mother, loving grandmother and a good relative. While in Pembroke, she opened a clothing store, Athena's Place which she ran for many years.

In 2002, after selling the restaurant, Athena and Jim moved to Samos to be close with their daughter and her family where they remained for four years until returning back to Ottawa for better care because of Athena's dementia. She will be very much missed by her husband of 49 years, her children, grandchildren, all her relatives, friends and Koumparous,Anna and Thanasis.

'til we meet again, my love'

Special thanks to Dr. Miller at the PDC for taking good care of Athena, all the staff from the front desk to the RN-RPN, PSWs and maintenance staff for going out of their way to make her life more comfortable. Thank you all.

Visitation will take place on Sunday September 26 at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church (1315 Prince of Wales Dr) from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Trisagion prayers at 4:30 p.m., also on Monday, September 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral service will take place on Monday September 27 at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Please make cheques payable to the Hellenic Community of Ottawa. Online donations may also be made by Helenic Community of Ottawa. In the Donation Note, please indicate “In memory of Athena Psarras.” You may also leave a message at the church office at 613-225-8016 ext. 222 and someone will return your call.