REALity – Volume XXXIV Issue No.9 September 2015

REAL Women was deeply saddened by the death of Sophie Joannou on July 10, 2015.

Sophie gave her heart to REAL Women for over 25 years. She was our Secretary-Treasurer, then acting Treasurer and a valued member of the Board of Directors. She was familiar with so many REAL Women members since she kept the membership database up-to-date and was a daily volunteer at the Ottawa National office. When she returned home in the evening, she did further work for REAL Women!

As a single mother of six children, Sophie knew the ins and outs of managing money. As a result, as Treasurer, she ran a tight ship and this contributed to REAL Women thriving without government grants when other women’s groups, dependent on federal largesse, collapsed when their funding was reduced or eliminated.

Sophie also found the time to help patients in the hospital as a volunteer translator. She was also always there to assist older patients with her gentle skills, and acted as power of attorney for some of these vulnerable people. She was a mine of information, with an interest in local and federal politics and regularly attended concerts at the National Arts Centre and other cultural events. Her primary focus, however, was her family. She was always willing to help her large family with baby sitting and organizing gatherings, taking the grandchildren to local museums and musical events. She is survived by her six children and 15 grandchildren. Her family cared for her with love and tenderness during her final year when she combatted cancer with courage and grace supported by her deep faith.

Condolences for her family can be made at the Ottawa Citizen Guest Book, where you will be able to read many words of praise for Sophie from across the country: Always cheerful and selfless, professional, generous, genuine, caring, wise, humorous, kind, humble and tireless are words to describe Sophie. There was no one else like her. She had a deep faith, serving God by serving others, and she made the world and REAL Women a far better place with her presence. May God continue to bless and keep Sophie and her family always. The memory of Sophie remains a part of all of us who knew her.

http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/ottawacitizen/sophie-joannou-condolences/175285191