It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marion (Mitra) Nikles. She quietly left us on Mother's Day, May 10, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and quiet strength that will continue to guide us.

Mitra was born on August 15, 1936, in the small mountain village of Bouf, in Northern Greece. Her early years were marked by the kind of turmoil most of us cannot imagine. Losing her mother to illness when she was just a little girl left a scar that she carried with her, a premature end to the innocence of childhood. Then came the disruption of World War II; her village became a target for bombs as resistance fighters sought refuge in the surrounding woods. The strife did not end with that war, as the Greek Civil War followed tearing her family apart. For Mitra, there was no worry-free childhood, no school, no teenage fun—only the stark reality of survival and the constant search for safety. When the wars finally ended, a new chapter began.

She and her beloved sister, Dorothy, boarded a ship for Canada, a journey toward hope and a better life. Joining her brothers, Sammy and Andy, they settled in the Riverdale neighbourhood of Toronto. They found work, built a community, slowly began to heal from the past and were about to change their fate by meeting their guys. It was at a Macedonian dance in 1955 that Mom met our father, Jimmy. The story of their meeting is one of our favourites: Dad was so smitten that he tracked her down the very next day, knocking on every door on Riverdale Avenue until he found her. This led to a whirlwind courtship and a wedding in June 1956.

Soon after, their four daughters arrived, filling their lives with new purpose. Mom and Dad spent the following decades navigating the ups and downs of building a life together. They worked tirelessly in the restaurant business, instilling in us the values of hard work and dedication. Through it all, family remained the centre of their universe, whether it was raising the four of us or enjoying the simple joy of an annual Macedonian picnic. In retirement, they found great happiness wintering in Florida with friends.

Mom's greatest joys were found in the small things: a good game of cards, a table full of food she had prepared (at least until she decided she had cooked enough for one lifetime), and, above all, the presence of her family. Her heart expanded with the arrival of her grandchildren: Ali, Justine, Leah, Nikko, Dania, Paula, and Cassia; and then her great-grandchildren: Mateo, Sofia, Nolan, Emmy, Owen, Theo, Naya, Leo, and Eva. She was so proud of every single one of them.

She also took great joy in her knitting; her face would light up seeing her family wearing the pieces she had made with such care. One thing we knew for sure, she loved dancing. Any music with a strong beat set her off moving and grooving with the music. Her favourite quote: "nothing hurts when you're dancing". During her final years, Mom faced several health challenges, including an Alzheimer's and dementia diagnosis. Yet, even as her memory began to fade, she almost never forgot who we were, a gift for which we are eternally grateful.

Mom leaves behind her four heartbroken daughters and their spouses, Mary and Larry, Helen, Kathy, and Sophi and Tony. We will miss her every day. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated. Visitation is Thursday, May 14th, 4-8 p.m. and Funeral Service, Friday, May 15th, 10 a.m. Both will be held at Pine Hills Cemetery, 625 Birchmount Road.