Vasilia (Celia) Kachmarski is a Greek Canadian born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on July 26th, 1950, to Greek immigrant parents, Sarantos Charalambos Georgoulis and Kleoniki Baroutis. Her father emigrated from Kastri Kynourias in the Peloponnese, while her mother arrived in Canada after her family was displaced from Trigleia in Asia Minor during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Raised in Saskatoon’s Greek community, Kachmarski grew up immersed in Greek Orthodox faith, language, culture, and community life. Her family’s Elite Restaurant served as an important social hub where community gatherings, celebrations, and weddings brought Greek Canadians together. A teacher by profession, she later settled in Calgary and became active in community and philanthropic organizations, serving as the international Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope from 2019 to 2021. In her interview, she reflects on her parents’ immigration experiences, the development of Greek communities in Western Canada, and the role of church and cultural organizations.
.jpg)
[00:00:22] Her parents' and their immigration
[00:04:04] The restaurant industry and Greek community
[00:09:46] Growing up as a Greek Canadian
[00:16:37] Church life in Saskatoon
[00:18:08] Visiting Calgary and moving there later
[00:21:40] Greek Indigenous relationships
[00:22:10] Church life in Calgary and AHEPA
[00:27:11] Parents staying connected to their homeland
[00:29:14] How she identifies herself
[00:29:36] What she wants to remember about her parents
[00:31:18] The future of Greeks in Canada
[00:34:04] Greek seniors and needs in the community
[00:37:24] Final thoughts on the community
.png)
.png)
