In Loving Memory of

Erna Honora Karvellas

(Maiden: Kulak)
of Edmonton
May 18, 1914 - Jan 10, 2013

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, Erna Karvellas passed away peacefully after a long and fulfilled life. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Penelope Karvellas Sullivan, Helen Karvellas, John (Nancy) Karvellas and David Karvellas, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren spread around the world. Erna was the last surviving child from her father’s first marriage; she is survived by her siblings from her father’s second marriage: Lana Tkach, Theo (Marion) Kulak and Gerry (Audrey) Kulak, with whom she stayed close throughout her life. Erna was predeceased by her husband Dave (Diomedes) Karvellas and her son Paul Karvellas.

Erna was born in Stony Plain, Alberta on May 18, 1914, before the first War to End All Wars. By the end of that war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from whence her German-speaking parents had emigrated to Canada in the 1890’s, no longer existed. Erna lived her early life on her parents’ farm near Stony Plain. She married Dave Karvellas, a Greek immigrant, in 1934, and helped him establish himself in the restaurant industry in Edmonton. While retaining her own Austrian-German heritage, Erna worked diligently to know and understand her husband’s heritage. She learned to speak Greek and mastered the art of Greek cooking, among many personal accomplishments. Erna maintained a positive attitude throughout her life, and was a welcoming hostess to her many relatives and friends at her home on Ada Boulevard in Edmonton.

A Trisagion Service will take place at 7:00 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013 at Foster and McGarvey Funeral Homes, 10011-114 Street, Edmonton. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 10831-124 Street, Edmonton, with interment thereafter at Westlawn Memorial Gardens.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to a charity of one’s choice.