Maria Iltsopoulos (née Lagges)

Maria Iltsopoulos, beloved matriarch, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and woman of unwavering faith, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, in the loving home of her daughter Helen. She was 91 years old.

Maria was born on April 12, 1934, in Metamorphosis, Laconia, Greece, a small village near Sparta. Her life was defined by extraordinary resilience. She survived World War II with a Luftwaffe base near her village, the Greek Civil War that followed, a brain aneurysm, cancer that led to the amputation of her leg below the knee at age 80, and a broken hip five years later after insisting on picking lemons from her own tree. Through every hardship, Maria maintained a positive spirit rooted in her deep faith in God and her boundless love for family.

In 1954, Maria immigrated to Sudbury, Ontario, joining her brother and cousins as part of an early wave of Greek immigrants. Together, they formed an informal welcoming committee for newcomers—providing jobs, housing, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Maria worked at Gus's Restaurant and later alongside her husband in the family's restaurant ventures. She also served as the community seamstress, having trained as a young woman by walking from her village to the nearby town of Molaos to learn the craft. She made countless wedding and formal dresses for Greek families beginning new lives in Canada.

In 1960, Maria married Petros Iltsopoulos. Together they built a life centered on hard work, entrepreneurship, and faith. They helped establish U&I Refreshments and U&I Restaurant in New Sudbury—businesses that became local institutions—and later at Mr. Prime Rib. Maria and Petros were also founding members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Sudbury, a reflection of their deep faith and lifelong commitment to their community. In 1986, they moved to Titusville, Florida, where they joined their son Nicholas at Kelsey's Pizzeria. Maria became affectionately known as "Mama Kelsey's," proudly promoting her son's restaurant wherever she went.

Maria was an avid gardener who could grow anything, anywhere. She composted long before it was fashionable, shared homemade rice pudding and baklava generously, and believed deeply that "sharing is caring." She was also famous for her handwritten cards—written in the cursive she learned after immigrating—sent faithfully to family and friends across Canada, the United States, and Greece.

She lived by the Greek saying "Ola einai gia ta paidia mou"—everything is for my children. This was not merely a phrase, but the guiding principle of her life. Maria was the matriarch of a large Greek family, fiercely loyal, deeply loving, and unwavering in her belief that family unity mattered above all else.

Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years, Petros Iltsopoulos; her sister Constandina Zervakos (Panayioti); her brother Nicholas (Nick) Lagges (Anna); and her son-in-law George Dimitrakopoulos (Helen).

She is survived by her children: Nicholas Iltsopoulos (Tracy), Helen Dimitrakopoulos (George), and Zoe Borys (Gerard); her grandchildren, in order of birth: Katherine Gregoris (Joseph), Athanasia Dimitrakopoulos, Aubrey Hooker, Panayioti Dimitrakopoulos, Joshua Hooker, Petros Dimitrakopoulos, Mia Iltsopoulos, Evan Borys, and Zachary Borys; and her great-grandchildren, Emerson and Daphne Gregoris. She is also survived by her siblings Politimi Chipouras (Christos), Eleni Roumanes (George), Kyriakos Lagges (Marianthi), and Dimitri Lagges (Christina), along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Maria's life was a testament to faith, perseverance, generosity, and unconditional love. She will be remembered as a legend within her family and community, and as a woman who defied all odds with grace.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Lohman Funeral Home located at 733 West Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach.

Funeral services will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Daytona Beach on Friday, January 9th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Daytona Memorial Park at 1428 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Fl 32114.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the following:

Hippocratic Cancer Foundation:
https://secure.hcrfwingstocure.org/forms/general-donation-form

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=119765859083&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=12648622232

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Donations – St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church