The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis 11 May 2014
A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: MARIA KOULOGIANIS ARTICLE 11 MAY 2014
Who was Maria Koulogiannis is a question that many may ask. I for one cannot remember her as a youngster as I was far too young. But Maria knew of me as she was a few years older and we were both born in the same village called Pellana. In fact were related in some obscure way and it would not be for some forty years later that we came into contact with each other again.
Maria would often write to me in Australia during the time I was a single father of four sons and only through my parents did I in fact become acquainted with Maria. Her communication with me was in regards to our village and her letters to me were all about her passion for the village.
In her letters she would write about people that she knew in Australia and of her relatives who had decided to live in Australia rather than America (USA). Maria had left Pellana and went to live in the USA while others of her kin travelled to Australia. Only through the occasional visit to Pellana would she meet up with her relatives and friends of her youth.
Maria’s family in the USA. As time wore on and her letters became few I thought that Maria had moved on with her life and had relocated to another part of the USA. I got remarried to my lovely wife Yovanna and we made our home in the leafy suburb of Watsonia. Although our home was open to the four boys, they had all grown into young men and one by one left the nest so to speak. Terrible time for me as I was and still close to my boys.
Having digressed I must add that out of the blue I received an email from Maria stating that she had moved and that she happened to visit the website that I had created on Pellana. Maria was overcome with emotion that someone from her own village had created a site specific for the village and would send me emails advising of any changes to her life and of the people that she had met.
One such person was Great Uncle Chris (Margarites) Thodoropoulos who lived and is still living at the time of writing in Chicago USA at the age of 103. In fact years later the son of Chris, George Thodoropoulos advised me that he had also met Maria and that he had helped her relocate to Florida. It was becoming a small world indeed.George and I keep in regular contact along with many others whose origins are from Pellana. Below is an extract of George Thodoropoulos message to me on his interaction with Maria.
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During this time I also ventured onto Face book and to a new world of social media. I soon found that Maria had also mastered Face book and we would often converse with each other using this new social media. I would often visit her online page and view all of her photographs and keep up to date with her family get together and other information related to the village and Pellana website.
I am sad to say that I never got to meet Maria as she lived in the USA and despite a few visits back to the old village and place of our birth, our paths never crossed. Her passing came as a complete shock to me even though I was made aware that she was having treatment for health related reasons and it was thought judging by her positive comments that she was doing well and keep on top of things. At no stage did she make us feel that she was losing the battle and at no time did she seek sympathy but had a positive word for all and asunder.
Her passing was a tragic loss to the many that knew her and I for one knew that I would miss her positive and likely comments. As such I promised myself that when the time came, I would sit down and write a small article to Maria Koulogiannis, a woman who I never met but nevertheless felt some bond with as a result of our place of birth, Pellana. As a tribute to Maria I copied all of her Face book messages and photographs and created an article specially dedicated to her. The Condolence’s Section’ alone tell a story and of the people she touched. The photographs also communicate to all a mother who brought up her children in a world far from her birthplace and the selected comments are also a tribute to Maria.
I am a great believer in recording the lives of those people who make a difference to the lives others. Maria Koulogiannis during her life touched many people and such deserves to be remembered not only as a Pellaniote but someone who kept alive her heritage and love of life by passing it onto her children and encouraging others to do the same.
The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0409965538
PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUM
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
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MESSAGE TO (GEORGIA SAVVIDIS) FRIEND OF MARIA KOULOGIANIS Dear Georgia, As we are not connected via Facebook I am writing to you via Maria Koulogianis facebook connection. My name is Peter Adamis. I live in Melbourne Australia. My father this evening advised me that Maria Koulogianis had passed away. Please tell me that its not true. My father was advised by his sisterwho lives in Pellana Greece. My email address for contact is [email protected] or [email protected] Can you please advise me urgently. Regards Peter Peter. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but yes. Maria has passed and gone with God. Thank you Georgia, It is very much appreciated. Maria was a beautiful human being Thank you again Peter Dear Kathy, My name is Peter Adamis from Melbourne Australia. Can you please advise me on the health status of Maria Koulogianis. My father gave me some bad news tonight. News he received from Pellana Greece. I hope that Maria is fine. You may contact me also via email at [email protected] Regards Peter Adamis Dear Peter, I am sorry to tell you that Maria passed peacefully on the 18th surrounded by her family. If you’d like to contact one of her children this is her daughterhttps://www.facebook.com/auntietulla Dear Kathy, Thank you ever so much. I have sent Tulla message of condolence. Maria was a beautiful human being. Thank you again. Peter Adamis You are welcome. Yes she was a beautiful person and was blessed that she had all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with her. Dear Peter, I am sorry to tell you that Maria passed peacefully on the 18th surrounded by her family. If you’d like to contact one of her children this is her daughterhttps://www.facebook.com/auntietulla TO TULLA CONWAY (MARIAS DAUGHTER) My dearest Tulla, On behalf of my mother and father (Vasilios and Calliopi Adamis, Myself and family and all of our relatives whose origins are from Pellana, we send you our sincere condolences to you and your siblings and family. My father was advised of your dear mother Maria. Your mother and I corresponded with each other over the years as we both had a love of our village Pellana. Your mother was a fighter and never gave up from what I could gather from her correspondence. May she rest in peace in the bosom of our creator. She was a great and beautiful human being. Condolences to all. We shall remember her in our prayers. Peter Adamis Melbourne Australia. July 11 via iLoader for iOS I never realized how much I resembled my Mom! Love you Mom 🙂 Ellen Deatherage dont you love it now I sure do i wish my mommy w was here to meet yours to beautiful picture i love them July 11 at 10:34am · Like · 1 Maria Koulogianis ΕμείςηηδιοΟκαη July 11 at 10:36am · Like
Maria Koulogianis .love you both July 11 at 10:37am · Like · 1 July 11 at 10:47am · Like · 1 Melissa Missy McKean Wow!!!!! Now u know what u have to look forward to!!!! July 11 at 11:29am · Like · 1 Lori Ann Clifford-Corrente Wow tulla u do look just like her…. July 11 at 11:50am · Like · 1 Maria Koulogianis My baby Tulla .to of us together no matter what ,.love mom . July 11 at 11:55am · Unlike · 2 Tulla Conway Yup Mom 🙂 it sure is! July 11 at 3:31pm · Like · 1 Ellen Deatherage I loveyou TULLA call me anytime Wednesday at 1:04am · Like
Ellen Deatherage dont you love it now I sure do i wish my mommy w was here to meet yours to beautiful picture i love them July 11 at 10:34am · Like · 1 Maria Koulogianis ΕμείςηηδιοΟκαη July 11 at 10:36am · Like
Maria Koulogianis .love you both July 11 at 10:37am · Like · 1 July 11 at 10:47am · Like · 1 Melissa Missy McKean Wow!!!!! Now u know what u have to look forward to!!!! July 11 at 11:29am · Like · 1 Lori Ann Clifford-Corrente Wow tulla u do look just like her…. July 11 at 11:50am · Like · 1 Maria Koulogianis My baby Tulla .to of us together no matter what ,.love mom . July 11 at 11:55am · Like · 1 Yup Mom 🙂 it sure is! July 11 at 3:31pm · Like · 1 Ellen Deatherage I loveyou TULLA call me anytime Wednesday at 1:04am · Like Maria Koulogianis was tagged in Tulla Conway‘s photos. Top of Form July 15 at 2:43pm via iLoader for iOS · Bottom of Form “Go…” on Tulla Conway‘s photo. “Χρόνια πολα να τα εκατοστισις …” on PitsaRassia‘s status. “.'” on Theo Smirnios‘s photo. “. Τι πολα νανα πουμ´ε τυ ταξικά…” on Foto இܓ omorfies‘s photo. Maria. Thank you. I promise to call you. I can’t get my mom on the phone with too many people but I will try my best to get her to talk to you. Its still new to her. She is still shocked. Thank you. Talk to you soon. 🙂 Top of Form Bottom of Form “Happy anniversary Garett’s manny…” on Freda Katsetos-Stanton‘s status. “My beautiful wildflower I love…” on Michelle McKean‘s photo. Maria likes Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Maria started using Facebook for iPhone. Top of Form Bottom of Form Miss you Thea! ♥ Top of Form Maria Koulogianis Miss.you to.I.love.you.to.allways.Thea.Maria. CONDOLENCES – IN MEMORY OF MARIA KOULOGIANIS Maryline Tulla and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Tuesday July 24, 2012 Maryline Tulla and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are wilth you. Tuesday July 24, 2012 Laura In looking at your mom’s pictures, she looks great! I am sure she had a wonderful life and was blessed by her family. She is in God’s hands now, and has a new journey to fulfull. Bless you and your family during this time. Tuesday July 24, 2012 Marti Tulla, I am so sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love, Marti Monday July 23, 2012 Tatiana Harden Dear Tulla, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your family! Monday July 23, 2012 Latorra Randle Tulla and Family, I want to extend my prayers to you and your family doing this time. Let us know if you need anything. We are all here for you. Our s to you. Love you Tulla!!! Monday July 23, 2012 Dwaine Angus Tulla like God’s prayers be with your family and you. Monday July 23, 2012 Stefanie Cataldo Tulla and family- Your in my thoughts and prayers! Monday July 23, 2012 Georgia Houndris Savvidis Dearest Tulla and family. My most sincere s for your mom. She was an amazing and strong woman. May God rest her soul and may she always be with you in spirit. Love Georgia & Stathi Saturday July 21, 2012 Scott & Debbie Palucci Dear Peter,Cheryl,Heather,Peter and family, We are so sorry to hear about Maria. Sending our love and prayers. Scott,Debbie,Amanda,and Sean Saturday July 21, 2012 The Sigalos family dear tulla and familywe just herd about your mom today. we are so sorry for you loss. she was a wonderful person and she will be missed by all that knew her. may her memory be eternal. Friday July 20, 2012 Peter Adamis s to Maria Koulogianis children family and relatives. A dear friend Maria Koulogianis whose origins are from Pellana Lakonia Greece. Correspondence over the years on her love for place of birth and the people she met made her a special person. Maria was a wonderful human being and will be sadly missed. s and may she rest in peace. Our prayers are with her family. Peter Adamis, Vasilios and Calliope Adamis families – Melbourne Australia, Friday July 20, 2012 Melissa (1st grandchild) Gramma I miss u so much already!!!! I love u so much!!!! I can’t wait for Nate and Isabelle to get older so I can share all the stories and good memories of u with them. God couldn’t have blessed me with a better gramma or Yia Yia for me and my children! Thank u so much for everything u have done for me, all the advice and guidance u have given me on how to be a good mom, and all of the joy and laughter u brought into me and my kids life. U will always be in my heart and I look forward to being with u again some day!!!!! Xoxoxoxo from me, Marcus, Nate, and Isabelle!!!!!! Friday July 20, 2012 Brittany Gibson I would like to extend my most heart felt s to the family and friends during this time of greif. I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful woman and know her to be a very loving Grandmother and now Great Grandmother to Missy and ger children. Eventhough your heart is breaking find comfort in the open arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Brittany Friday July 20, 2012
https://www.curlewhills.com/book-of-memories/1279661/Koulogianis-Maria/view-s.php?Printable=true
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