Maria Barbayannis’ death shocked the Greek Community of Melbourne. Her funeral took place on Friday, 29 November 2019 at St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Templestowe. A life taken too soon, Maria is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Michael, their two children Andrew and Georgia, and four adoring grandchildren, with a fifth on the way.

READ MORE: Maria Barbayannis’ life remembered through family photographs

I came to you tattered and worn,
my head held low and heavy, weak…from the battle of Divorce.
I came to you from the bright lights and shiny marble foyers of the law firms,
the big city…
I came to you after years of courtroom jousts and belief in the Law
I came to you dragging behind my steps hopelessness, loss and despair — one more step to save my girls
No money they said, can’t help they said
I came to you with a looming court date
I came to you with the Private school sweeping my girls out the door
I came to you with the legal hounds snapping at my heels for unpaid bills
I came to you as the Agency for child support buried me in the quagmire of reports
I came to you, they said go! Go!
To the suburbs there you will find Maria she will listen to you
I came, I sat, slumped with tears waiting to flood the floor awaiting to be shown the door
You listened, you read, patiently through the folders I clutched, bursting with legal fare
You spoke, “I can see you are in a real muddle”
“I can see this can be fixed quickly and brought to an end!”
You picked up the phone and spoke,
a Truce was declared a battle spared,
“I will help you !” you said.
My heart burst with joy, the veil was lifted
Two months was all…Free at last!
Thank you Maria,
Thank you for being You,
Thank you for that Heart that beat a warm chime…
Humanity! Empathy! Humanity! Empathy!

We are flourishing Maria because of you
May you Rest In Peace and Love
May the Lord Our God Bless your Soul.

Marie Hall

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