Olga Rodriguez (née Forti) passed away peacefully at her home in York Mills, where she was surrounded by loved ones, on December 17, 2025, at the age of 77, following a five-year battle with cancer. Olga is survived by her son Dimitri, daughter Tatiana, daughter-in-law Anna, son-in-law Michael, and four grandchildren.

Olga was born and raised in the picturesque town of Loutraki, Greece. Loutraki was forever a part of Olga. Even after moving to Canada, she returned yearly and opened her home in Greece to friends and family. They ate good food, swam in the sea and the nearby lake, and walked through the same streets Olga had played on as a little girl. Her many lifelong friends, the mountainside home she built for her family, and her devotion to the local monastery and community will all remain part of her legacy. Her imprint there will long outlive her.

After spending her first 21 years in Greece, in 1969, Olga made the journey to Canada. A year later, while in English classes, sitting not far from her was Victor Rodriguez, a handsome, gentle, and warm-hearted man who had recently arrived from Colombia. While they spoke entirely different languages, together they learned English, got to know each other, and fell in love. Over the next 51 years, they raised a family, traveled the world, and shared a great passion for trying new things. In addition to being devoted spouses, Olga and Victor were best friends. Even as Victor’s health declined during his final years, Olga was his anchor and primary caregiver.

Olga loved to learn about virtually anything. Her travels with Victor took her to both popular and far-flung regions, such as Jordan, China, Australia, and all of Europe and Latin America. Besides her travel, she was a copious reader and viewer of documentaries on history, religion, philosophy, art, and many other topics. She earned a degree with high honors in interior decorating in 1991 while busy raising her children, and in her later years, completed a rigorous four-year course of study in painting at the Academy of Realist Art. She shared her love of art with fellow students as well as her family, for whom she created many cherished pieces that adorn their walls.

But Olga’s proudest creation was her family. She delighted in introducing her kids and grandkids to new places and new experiences, and she made a home filled with love, laughter – and, of course, food. The kitchen was her sanctuary, and to not enjoy cooking or eating was, to her, sacrilegious. She was happiest when the dining room table was filled with her homemade dishes being enjoyed by family and friends.

Olga was committed to her Greek Orthodox faith and culture, but was open and accepting of people of all religions and backgrounds. Her faith was personal and strong, even during her later years when physical ailments began to take their toll. She embodied the Greek principle called philotimo, guided by a deep sense of respect, generosity, and moral responsibility towards others. She always helped her community, going above and beyond to aid those in need. Her house in Toronto would often host people from Greece who came for medical procedures or other reasons. She also embraced the Greek way of “philoxenia”, excited to talk and get to know people and share what she’d learned through her life, making many friends over the years. She was loved by friends for their deep talks, which could extend into the morning hours.

A life this full can hardly be summed up in such few words. But suffice it to say that Olga learned broadly, laughed heartily, and — most important – loved deeply. We will miss her sharp wit and graceful elegance, her tight hugs and broad and sometimes mischievous smile, her seriousness of purpose, and playful vivacity. In many ways, she will remain with us through memories of that little girl from Loutraki who grew up to give so much to so many.