Fani Karaoulanis

Fani Karaoulanis passed away on Saturday, March 13th in the afternoon, after an incredibly lengthy, brave battle with metastatic breast cancer. She died at home, surrounded by her loving family, as this was her final wish. She was 72 years old.

Fani was born in Nea Tirins, Nafplion, Greece on 30th of January, 1949. However, her birth was not registered until the next day, hence her ‘legal’ birthday is the 31st of January. She still, however, celebrated on the 30th of the month, with whom she shared the date with her youngest granddaughter.

She is the oldest of four sisters, and had always been like a second mother to her siblings. She loved learning and had even wished to become a teacher when she was younger, however, the circumstances did not provide the opportunities for her wish to come true. So, instead, once she learned English (self-taught), she travelled to Australia to see if she could make a life there for herself. At 18, she left Greece and found her way to Sydney, where she lived with some friends and began her adventure of exploring the world. After 3 years, she returned to her home country for a short while. She realized then that she wanted to go back to Australia and on her way there, she serendipitously took a detour into Vancouver, Canada. This is where she would spend the rest of her life, as she would soon meet her future spouse. Fani met Charalambos Karaoulanis at a mutual friend’s home. Once they began courting, they were engaged within 3 weeks, and married 3 months later, on June 12, 1971. This year they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She and Charalambos began a beautiful life together and soon after had 3 beautiful children, a girl and two boys. Fani loved her family and did everything for them to show her love. She loved to cook and try new recipes and of course to create beautiful feasts when celebrating throughout the year. Fani did not have her extended family here in Canada, and so her world was her husband, children and grandchildren, and the dear friends that she made along the way. She was loved by all who met her.

Fani is survived by her loving husband Charalambos, her daughter Phyllis, her husband John and their three children, her son Russ, and her son Billy, his wife Janice and their two children.

Fani also leaves behind her father Spyridon (97), her sisters, her inlaws, and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends in Greece and some friends here in Canada.

Fani was a strong, loving, caring and patient person. She died on the day of Saint Ypomoni (Patience), which was so befitting for her. She never complained, even though she was suffering in her last few years. She never had a negative thing to say about others or life itself. She was humble, and didn’t like to be the center of attention, and that is how she left us.

The family would like to thank all of the Gateway Home Care Aids and nurses who helped her these past 5 months. Regretfully, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to comply with public health orders a private funeral will be held on Thursday, March 18 at Saint Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation.