Obituary of Pota Kouyas

Panagiota “Pota” Kouyas, 94, New Glasgow, passed away peacefully, Monday, December 11, 2023, in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family.

Born in Agios Ioannis, Sparta, Greece, she was a daughter of the late Konstadinos and Canella (Savvouras) Papagiannokas. A lady of deep faith, she was a member of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, Halifax. She immigrated to Canada in the 1950’s first settling and working in Montreal, Que. In the early 1960’s she and her late husband, Demetre “Jim” Kouyas moved to Stellarton and worked in the family business, Sams Restaurant.  During this time, she helped to create the famous Pictou County Pizza recipe.

Pota is best described by family as “a considerate and generous lady who possessed a beautiful soul”. A person who possessed “Spartan” strength and believed in the importance of family ties.

Surviving are her children, Spyros Kouyas (Jenny Fraser), Riverton; Angela (Doug) Bonvie, Melville; grandchildren, Zoe (Blaine) MacInnis, New Glasgow; Demetre (Katie) Bonvie, Stratford, P.E.I.; Nikos Bonvie, Melville; great-granddaughter, Charlotte MacInnis; brother, Peter (Fevronia) Pappas, Dearborn Heights, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Eleni Papagiannokas, Long Island, N.Y.; Matina Panopalis, Montreal, Que.; several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Demetre “Jim” Kouyas; grandson, George Stavropoulos Bonvie; a sister in infancy; sisters, Georgia Mazarakes, Eugenigia Graphos and Kalliopi Panopalis; baby brother, Nikos; brother, Christos Papagiannokas; brothers-in-law, Nikos Mazarakes, George Graphos, John Panopalis.

The family will receive visitors 10-10:50 a.m. Friday, December 15 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. with Father Panagiotis “Peter” Maropoulos presiding. Interment will be in Abercrombie Cemetery.

Donations may be made in memory of Pota to St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, Halifax.

A traditional Greek funeral reception will be held 1-3 p.m. Friday in the Art Quinn Parkway Rec Center, 435 South Frederick Street, New Glasgow. (Driveway between green and orange buildings.)

Pota’s family wishes to thank Dr. Anne Kwasnik and the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care team for their care and support. They wish Jodi MacPherson to know how much Pota loved her and that they are eternally grateful for all she did.

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Funeral service livestream - please click HERE