Maria was born April 20, 1941 in Kranidion, Greece to George and Demetra Maniatis. She is survived by her loving daughters Evelyn (Evanthia) & Mike Tsugranis and Toula (Demetra) & John Athanasopoulos and her cherished grandchildren George Athanasopoulos, Sara (Smaroula) Tsugranis, Nicholas Athanasopoulos, and Kosta (Constantine) Tsugranis. She is survived by other cherished relatives from Greece and Canada. 

From a very young age, she faced challenges that would shape the course of her life. She lost her parents and grew up as an orphan, relying on the love and support of her brothers. Despite the hardships of her childhood, she developed an incredible strength and resilience that stayed with her throughout her life. Seeking a better future, she made the difficult decision to leave her beloved homeland of Greece and immigrate to Canada to live with her brother. Maria left behind everything that was familiar - her home, her culture and the life she had known. It took courage, determination, and hope to build a new life so far from home, but that is what she did. Those early struggles shaped the compassionate, resilient, determined woman we all came to know. 

Maria loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and family. She loved working alongside her beloved husband in the restaurant business for decades providing delicious meals and making friendly connections at Nick’s Luncheonette, NYC, and Your Place Diner, Leonia. Maria loved to share stories about her time with her brothers and the ‘perivoli’ in Greece and Canada. She will be greatly missed by family and friends and will always be remembered for being a witty, funny, and resilient woman.

A visitation for Maria is planned for Monday, July 13, from 11 AM to 12 PM and the funeral will immediately follow at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 51 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 with Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1 Outwater Ln, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663.

May Her Memory Be Eternal!

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 51 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 or St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 124 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033.

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