Stella Miridou, born in 1934 in Athens, grew up in the neighbourhood of Ilioupoli. Her family background can be traced to Pontian origins. She recalls memoried for the Second World War and the Civil War. Stella arrived in Canada in 1960 and initially faced financial struggles and had multiple career changes. Before settling in Toronto, she got married in Montreal. She became an influential figure within the Pontian Association and serve twice as the president of the Holy Trinity Church’s Philoptochos.
[00:00:00] Pontian origins and familial memories
[00:07:08] Athens and Hassani Airbase
[00:10:38] Remembering the Second World War
[00:16:55] Aftermath and the Greek Civil War
[00:22:41] Arranged marriage letters and her marriage
[00:24:41] Education in Athens, learning English and French
[00:29:00] Work, migration papers, and meeting her husband
[00:33:12] Her life in photographs
[00:38:50] Migration to Canada and family’s reaction
[00:41:48] Arriving on ship to Halifax
[00:45:00] Bunkmate on the ship from Thessaloniki
[00:48:33] Arriving in Montreal, memories of her husband
[00:54:32] Working in an apparel factory
[00:56:40] Greeks in Montreal and visiting family in America
[00:59:49] Arriving, living, and working in Toronto
[01:07:16] Changing careers and financial struggles
[01:15:09] Her children, sister, and absent husband
[01:17:16] Reuniting with her son in Greece
[01:20:48] Pontian association and Philoptochos
[01:23:29] Greek community in Toronto
[01:26:05] Her role in Greek churches in Toronto
[01:32:10] How the church has changed, Greek church recipes
[01:34:32] The role of the Philoptochos in Toronto
[01:40:28] Generational changes in the church
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