MARIA E. FLANNERY (Nee Gounelas) was born on February 26, 1938, in Spata, Greece, and died peacefully in her sleep at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday, February 01, 2023, in her 84th year. An entrepreneur, world traveler, writer, and occasional television personality, she survived war, cancer, and stroke to create a life full of stories, adventure, and rich relationships. She was brave in the pursuit of her passion for travel organizing tours to previously closed nations such as the Soviet Union and China during the Cold War. She challenged gender stereotypes in travel and business, starting her own tour company in the 1970s and traveling to countries of interest regardless of politics, religion, or cultural barriers. She was a consummate event planner in her professional work but most enjoyed hosting friends and family in her home where no one left without their fill of travel stories and food. In 2009 she was predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Dr. John G. Flannery. Mother to Nereida, James (Linsey), and her ‘adoptive’ daughter, Lorraine Lawson (Michael Marcus), and Yiayia to Maremilia, Sharkey, Jack, Rachel, and Nathan she is missed deeply. Predeceased by her sister, Tasoula, she is survived and mourned by her brothers Dimitrios (Ruth) and Nikos as well as their children. Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 05, 2023 from 9:30 am – 11 am at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre (375 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto) followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Burial to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A link to livestream the service will become available at the top of this page at approximately 10:45 am on the day of the funeral service.

In memory of Maria, donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada or Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan which is supported by Nereida’s charity, Business for Better Society. Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan mission is to “improve conditions of human rights, ending women’s oppression, and providing opportunities for Afghan women to live their lives with dignity, certainty, and purpose.” Donations to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan can be made at https://cw4wafghan.ca/

Nereida’s charity, Business for Better Society is Hong Kong registered and currently working to improve the lives of women and children in the DR Congo, Kenya, Afghanistan, Uganda and elsewhere. Donations to her charity can be made at https://businessforbettersociety.org/donate-to-bbs/

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