It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Anna Chaikalis in the early hours of Sunday November 27, 2022 at Scarborough General Hospital. Anna is survived by her husband Anthony, her son Kosta and (fiancé Margie) and his kids Kristina and Travis, her predeceased son Terry (Tracy) and their son Anthony, her son Jimmy (Adele) and their kids Alex, Deanna, Elyse, and Laina, and her daughter Angelika, as well as the rest of her family including her cousins and sisters, in-laws, and nieces and nephews.
Anna was born in Kalamata, Greece, and was the 4th of 7 siblings. She moved to Canada where she met and married Anthony in 1958. They raised their 4 kids in Scarborough but spent extensive amounts of time at their farm in Cobourg off of Rice Lake, especially in the summer. There, they would gather with extended family and spend weekends enjoying the open space, the lake, and Anna’s amazing cooking. She was most famous for her galaktobouriko and her pastitsio – so much so that no one even bothered to make those dishes in their own homes – they would call on her to do so for them.
Her green thumb was evident at home in her vegetable garden and even more so at the farm where the garden seemed to expand every year. She combined her passion for gardening and family every year during the harvest which would often yield enough produce to last the year especially potatoes. What wouldn’t last she would make tomato sauce and jar them or freeze some tomatoes and celery. Anything leftover she would turn into something creative and delicious.
Her talented hands spilled over into her handiwork. She could often be found sitting at a sewing machine making tablecloths and curtains and meticulously embroidering them. This hobby has resulted in beautiful and treasured gifts and keepsakes to loved ones – especially her nieces as part of their “dowry”.
Anna also loved to get together with her sisters and close friends where they would gather around a round table and play various card (poker) games well into the night. Her kids and their cousins have fond memories of the parents playing upstairs while they stirred up trouble of their own in the basement.
Anna’s zest for life was reflected in everything she did and the speedy pace at which she did it. She was a master at running her household and the whole family has fond memories of how quickly she moved and spoke. While it took some getting used to, it was a source of great amusement for everyone and she kept that until her final moments.
Anna’s house doubled as a place of love and caring not just for her immediate family but also for her extended family where for years she looked after their babies and children. More than a babysitter, she was a true caregiver not just to her children’s children but to those of others as well…and she loved it. It is that love, caring, and joy that will transcend her passing and survive in all the lives she touched.