Harriet Trianthe Xanthakos died on August 25, 2023. She was born on April 29, 1944 in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
Harriet was predeceased by her sister Jeanne in 2002, and her daughter Sara in 2016. She is survived by sisters Helen, Christine Xanthakos (James R.) Scrimgeour, Kay Sunday Xanthakos (Bruce Southworth), and Stella Xanthakos (Michael Malkovich); brother Harry; daughter Rebecca Simmons (Mike); and grandson David Frey.
She was a dedicated mother with many creative interests – batik, patchwork, pottery, photography – which she explored professionally before she found her calling as a Storyteller in Toronto.
She will be returned to the earth in a green burial at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Royal Oak Burial Park, 4673 Falaise Drive, in Victoria, BC. A tree will be planted in the fall.
Special thanks to the staff and residents of Sunrise Senior Living Victoria, who provided her with love and laughter in her final year.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Huronia Land Conservancy or another organization devoted to preserving wild places.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
35 Responses
Harriet was an intelligent, caring, sensitive, creative person with a great sense of humor who believed in doing what she could to make this world a better place. We cherish the memories of quality time we shared with her in Toronto and the US — especially her visits to us in Rockport MA.
We spent many evenings on our deck with her watching the sunset over Ipswich Bay and sharing childhood reminiscences. There were many moments of fun and laughter as the two sisters (Chrissy and Harriet) told their stories of growing up in Southbridge. And, of course, there were also long walks on the beach, tide pools to explore, scrabble games to play, a full moon to see through the trees at night, and an occasional rainbow.
Harriet will always have a special spot in our hearts.
With Love, Jim and Chrissy (Xanthakos) Scrimgeour
I’m very saddened to learn of Harriet’s passing this summer. She was a bright light that my young daughter and I looked forward to seeing every Sunday at First Unitarian in Toronto and at the farmers’ markets Her encouragement of Anabel’s budding storytelling and our regular conversations warmed my heart. We will miss her dearly.
Harriet was a great neighbour.
We had many poignant moments in our conversations. We talked a lot about books, music and vegetarian cooking. May she rest in peace.
PS
I love that she got her green burial.
Harriet had the warmest, most sincere loving hugs and inspired many of us storytellers. I live in the outskirts of Toronto, but whenever I visited 1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling or performed in the city she was one of the first to make me feel welcome and part of the community. May she rest in peace and grace the heavens with her beautiful soul.
I wove Harriet into one of her favourite tales last Friday, because, of course, Harriet had already entered that story.
She coached me with my first storytelling set a few years ago. Her advice was spot on. After, she fed me lunch with homemade baklava for dessert. Her voice was pure storyteller. I know that she is telling stories now.