Obituary of Alice Xiros

It is with great sadness that the family of Alice Xiros (nee Kouyas) announces her passing after a long illness, on Saturday, May 16th, 2020, at the age of 87 years. Born in Glastra, Greece on January 25th, 1933, Alice grew up living through and witnessing the war between Greece and Germany. Those were extremely hard times for her and her family, who lived in a small stone house in the mountains in a small village, where she tended goats and took care of her siblings. She was forced to leave Greece as a young teenager with only $5.00 in her pocket because of the war. She wanted to make a better life for herself and her travels took her through Europe, with many obstacles in her way. She visited many beautiful places like London England, Paris, Monte Carlo, Montreal and eventually putting down roots in Pictou County with her brothers and their families close by. She bought her home on Washington Street, first opening up a penny good store and eventually turning it into her famous pizza shop, Alice's Pizza. She met so many wonderful people from around the county and beyond over her 50+ years in business. She was like a ray of sunshine when her customers would come in, she treated every one of them like family, with so much love and compassion. She would tell her life stories to whomever would take the time to sit and listen, and she had many, ones that made you laugh and ones that made you cry. She was an amazing woman who was loved beyond all measure. She made numerous life long friendships, her first being with the Manos' who helped her buy her first home, and the many surrounding neighbors who welcomed her with open arms on Washington Street but her best friend of more than 50 years, Irene Tsoutouras and her family, whom she loved dearly. She loved to spend her summers laying on the beach with her family and friends, soaking up the sun with her homemade suntan lotion she faithfully made. If she didn't have time to get to the beach before opening up her shop, you would find her out in the backyard sunbathing or tending to her beautiful garden and grape vines. Family and friends gathered in her backyard for barbeques and birthday parties for years, it was the place to go to have some good times and lots of fun and laughter. Alice will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 50 years, Bob and her children, Christina (Dino) Gialousakis of Toronto, Ontario; George of New Glasgow; and Spyro (Anne) of Stellarton. Alice will also be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Natasha, Giorgios (Sarah), Christopher (Bailey), Aliki, Angeliki and Charalambos; by her great granddaughters Tatiyana and Maria, as well as her unborn great-great granddaughter Christina Johanna; brothers, George (Dina) Kouyas, Jim (Pota) Kouyas, many nieces and nephews. Alice was predeceased by her mother Angeliki, her father Spyros, brother Stavros, sister Georgia, and half brother Peter. There will be immediate family visitation only on Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 at 9:00am at Angus H W Funeral Home, 256 King St, New Glasgow, NS. Due to the restrictions of gathering, four people at a time from the same household will be allowed in to pay their respects for a few minutes and then will be asked to leave to let the next set of four family members in. The funeral will be at 10:30am in the chapel with Father Panagiotis Maropoulos officiating. Unfortunately, this will only be for Alice's husband, daughter and two sons because of the restrictions as well. Family burial will take place at the Lorne Street Cemetery where she will be laid to rest shortly after. The family thanks you for all your thoughts, love and prayers for their beautiful angel. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7