Maria N. Flemetakis
December 4, 1927 - January 9, 2013
Obituary
Maria was born on December 4, 1927 in the village of Kastellos on the island of Crete, Greece. She’s the fifth of six children (two boys and four girls) born to Konstantinos and Krystallia Nikolidakis.
Maria and her husband, Nikolaos, of 65 years, immigrated to Seattle in the 1970’s. While it was difficult at times not knowing English or how to get around and be independent, she and her husband focused on work – which they did well.
Maria was a busy body at home and she practically raised her grandchildren that were in the States. She was an astounding cook and the made the most memorably delicious Greek Christmas and Easter cookies. Her home was always spotless – so much that friends who inquired about her often asked, “Does she still carry a dust cloth around the house?” While she didn’t drive, she was thrilled to get out every day and enjoy life. When her kids or grandchildren called to have her join them, she’d say “my purse is on my shoulder and I’m waiting by the door. You’re not here yet?”
Maria had a strong affinity for her family throughout her life. She supported nephews and nieces through school, she housed relatives passing through her home in Greece on their way to America, she would drop anything for her children and grandchildren and would constantly make personal sacrifices to accommodate family. When her family, near and far, called to say hello, it was all she needed to make her heart content.
Maria had a green thumb and loved growing flowers and gardening. Annually, she planted gardenias, roses, gladiolas, lilies, begonias, and many other varieties she grew in pots and plants. When she could no longer plant them herself, her kids did because they knew how much it meant to her to have those flowers and to enjoy sitting among them in the summertime months, sipping coffee under the sun. In her garden, which thrived each year, she produced tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, pole beans, koukia (fava beans), celery, parsley and mint – all of which she shared with her family and friends and used in her delicious traditional Greek cooking. She also had a love for the ocean. She enjoyed going to Kalaloch camp grounds in the Olympic Peninsula for smelt fishing every year with her kids and grandkids – sweatpants, sneakers, headband, fishing net and all.
Maria was a very bright woman. She handled the finances, her home, the kids, moves (in state, out of state, out of country), kid’s schools, engagements, weddings, everything. She instilled hard work and the importance of education on her kids and grandkids – hoping they would take advantage of opportunities she missed in her childhood.
Since her arrival in the states, Maria was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. She hosted the Sunday coffee hour many times and sponsored fundraising luncheons to benefit the church’s building fund. She enjoyed love and respect by everyone in her Greek community and she was magically revived each time Father Dean, made a house call.
Unfortunately, her good heart betrayed her at a young age. For over thirty years Maria battled heart disease, then developed end stage renal failure, diabetes and macular degeneration. Brave as she was, all the medications, surgeries, frequent hospitalizations, complications, and seven years of dialysis took a toll on her frail body. The previously youthful, strong, alert, busy and full of life woman became small, weak, and fragile – but it never deterred her. She lost physical abilities but never for a moment did she lose her love for her family or God.
God loved her too though because when He saw her pain and suffering He stretched out His hand touched her, healed her and took her with Him. Maria is finally in heaven where she rests peacefully. May her memory be eternal.
We will always love you our beloved mom, grandma (“yiayia”), and great grandma.
Maria is survived by her husband, Nikolaos, four children: son George (Maria), son Emmanuel (Georgia), son Paul (Sophia), and daughter Stella (Elias), nine grandchildren: Nikolaos (Melizza), Christos (Kelly), Maria (Keith), Nikolaos, Demetrios, Andreas, Maria (Taylor), Nikolaos, and Demetre, and six great grandchildren: Emmanuel, Antonia, Maria, Stefan, George and Farah.