Obituary of Miss Mary Elizabeth Basha

It is with extreme sadness & heavy hearts that it be announced that Mary Elizabeth (a.k.a Big Mary) Basha at the age of 78, has peacefully passed away surrounded by immediate & loving family holding her hands during the evening of Friday, July 14, 2023 after being extensively hospitalized.

Mary was born on December 22, 1944 in Curling, Newfoundland into what grew into a large family & was a life long resident of Toronto. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, great aunt, a good friend & an outrageous woman to say the least. Whilst in her 20’s & still in Newfoundland, she married her love: Spiros on May 24, 1969 along side at the same time with her sister: Kathy marrying Peter. The four of them then moved to Toronto to start their working & family lives. Mary & Kathy worked along side of each other in a Donut Shop on the Danforth while also living in the same building in Scarborough. Mary & Spiros welcomed their first child into this world, a daughter: Georgia. And three years later welcomed a son: Anthony. Though this relationship was not permanent, they always did adore their children & remained good friends afterwards. Years later, Mary & Bill became companions & soon found fun in dining out & being avid travellers to Curling together.

Mary was well loved for her candid sense of humour, her no filter & fierce personality, along with her strong & exuberant spirit. She will be especially remembered for her adoration for the colour red & that meant a vast collection of anything & all that was red. She also shared her love with food & treats including, however, not limited to: Jigg’s Dinner, Indian, Chinese & Greek dishes, Salt Fish, Ice-Creams, Double-Mint Gum & the more fresh Garlic the better on so many of her spicy dishes. We will always remember that time you were asked by a passersby if you were Elizabeth Taylor.

Mary was a breast cancer survivor, a fighter against all odds & was one of toughest cookies known, especially through her many medical ordeals over the decades.

We all have so very many fond memories & stories to reminisce about.

She will be sorely missed & survived by her daughter: Georgia Tsoumbris, her son: Anthony Tsoumbris, the father of her children / life-long friend: Spiros Tsoumbris, her current companion: Bill (Willy) Bath, her sister: Kathy (Peter & Mary-Jane) Limberis, Dave (Mildred & Stella) Basha, Anthony (Diane [deceased], Anthony & Jodi) Basha, Martha Basha, Noel Basha, many cousins, nieces, nephews & extended family & friends within Newfoundland, Greece & the United States of America.She is predeceased by her mother: Mary-Anne Wellon, father: Elias T. Basha, eldest brother: Tom (Mary-Jane [deceased] Mary-Anne [deceased], Tommy & Joey) Basha, Joseph (Christine, Jim & Justin) Basha, Mike (Linda, Cory & Corinna) Basha, Nick Basha & youngest brother: Elias Basha.

We are grateful to all of those at Scarborough General Hospital (ICU), Ornge Staff & of those at St. Michael’s Hospital that did their very best to save her.

Visitation will be held at Fillatre’s Funeral Home 218 Curling Street Saturday and Sunday during the hours 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 31^st, 2023 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church, Curling Street with Father Lee Lainey officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Patricia Cemetery. To honour Mary and her love for all things red we request family and friends wear red at the visitation and funeral. In lieu of flowers, you may kindly donate to: Look Good Feel Better. https://lgfb.ca/en/

No longer in our life to share, but in our hearts you will always be there. ♡

Your wings were ready but our hearts were not. Rest in Paradise.

Farewell Mary, you were & always will be loved, cherished & adored by all! You shall get the most ultimate send off in a Celebration of Life in your New Red House back home.

The world is a different place now.