101 years of life is definitely worth celebrating, especially after living through some of the world’s most history altering events.

Efstathia Spyropoulou was born 10 June, 1920, at the time of the Asia Minor Catastrophe and shortly after the devastating effects of the Spanish flu.

100 years later she experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. In a century and a year, she has experienced things that many people today wouldn’t be able to fathom.

Ms Spyropoulou grew up in Greece during difficult times, when poverty and misery prevailed along with the hardships of war.

At the end of World War II she married and started her own family, her first child was son Apostolos, born the year after her marriage.

Ms Spyropoulou gave birth to six more children over the years at home without a doctor. Instead she had the help of a woman who had taken on the role of the village ‘midwife’.

In September 1964 she set off to the ‘lucky country’ on the Patris.

Today Ms Spyropoulou lives in Fawkner and says it is the best area in Australia, close to everything, shops, schools and of course the St Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.

She still calls Australia a ‘lucky country’ and feels proud as a Greek woman in Australia. “But Greece is always in our heart and in every fiber of our body,” she said.

On Mother’s Day, her eldest son Apostolos wrote the following poem, sharing it with the readers of Neos Kosmos.

READ MORE:101-year-old Elpida celebrates Mother’s Day with three generations

Mother’s Day

You are a world of support and the star of the universe and like Jesus’ preaching in thought you always remain.

You shine on young people and children like a beacon in the dark and you always lead like the faithful lamp.

It is a great honour to have you in our lives because you give it meaning with your presence.

You show love and affection to all your children and when they go astray you keep them close to you.

That is why every year we will honor you, always and forever, until it’s time to part.

Thank you mother, I kneel before you, I kiss your feet and I cry overwhelmed.

There is so much that I owe you, so much that you have done, no matter how I say thank you, it will never be enough.

And I swear to you as long as you live that I will not hurt you and I would give my life to you.

Our sweet mother, blessed mother, angelic in form and very beloved.

Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Apostle Panagiotis Spyropoulos

*Translated from Greek by Marianna Alepidis