A Sydney-based Castellorizian grandmother who celebrated her 109th birthday in January passed away peacefully.
The death of Eleni Confos (nee Galettis), the oldest known Greek Australian, was announced on Facebook by the Castellorizian Association of NSW Limited. “The Board of Directors of the Castellorizian Association of NSW on behalf of her daughter Rose Adgemis and her extended family, wish to inform the community of passing of our most senior Australian Castellorizian, Eleni Confos,” their message said. “Eleni passed away peacefully at the age of 109.5 years. May her memory be eternal.”
Ms Confos had migrated to Australia in 1931 after marrying George Confos in Castellorizo. In Australia, George already worked at a fish cafe with his brothers on William Street in Sydney.
The eldest daughter in her family and the first of seven siblings, she played a role in their upbringing but also helped them make their way to Australia after her.
She gave birth to her first son in 1932, and went on to have four children. Her eldest son however died young at the age of 42, and two of her granddaughters both passed away at the age of nine.
A true matriarch, she has been a mother figure not only to her own children, but also her nieces and nephews, as they all lived in nearby streets in Kingsford.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos during the celebration of Ms Confos’ 108th birthday, her granddaughter Chris Walker who had hosted yiayia Eleni’s birthday party at her home, said her yiayia’s life “hasn’t been easy or happy all the time as there were deaths in the family, losing children, grandchildren and other difficulties.”
But Ms Confos has managed to stay strong, leading a long life beloved by her family which includes even great great grandchildren.
Seven years ago, being wheelchair-bound she was taken to Rosebay nursing home where she could have 24-hour care.
In January she had celebrated her 109th birthday at the nursing home on Saturday “in style”.
Ms Confos was said to be the “oldest known” member not just from the Castellorizian clan, but the Greek Australian community as a whole.
She was also reportedly “the 10th oldest person in Australia”.
“When she turned 100 she got a letter from Queen Elizabeth and former prime minister Julia Gillard,” granddaughter Ms Walker had told Neos Kosmos.