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  "fullName": "Petroulla Elias Mehmet",
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  "dateOfBirth": "16\/6\/1939",
  "dateOfPass": "8\/1\/2010",
  "deceasedShortBio": "Petroulla was a remarkable woman, born in Kormakiti, Cyprus in 1939, as one of eleven siblings. She left her homeland in 1955 to pursue a career in midwifery in London where she met Rashit, her beloved husband. As a single mother for the majority of the time due to Rashit's early life difficulties, Petroulla worked hard to make ends meet alone and eventually became a successful businesswoman.\n\nPetroulla's story is a powerful lesson in the fight for survival against all odds. Her perseverance in the face of adversity is an inspiration to all, and her spirit will live on as a beacon of hope and courage for generations to come. Her loss is felt deeply by those who knew her, and her memory will forever be treasured as an ode to the human heart's indomitable spirit. She will be remembered as a true warrior who faced life's challenges with grit and grace, paving the way for a better tomorrow. ",
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  "keyFacts": {"birthLocation":"Kormakiti, Cyprus","deathLocation":"London, England","memorialLocation":"New Southgate Cemetery, London","parents":"Elia & Christina Kyriacou","spouse":"Rashit Mehmet","children":"Victor, Robert, and Sylvia","religion":"Maronite","favouriteHolidayDestination":"Cyprus"},
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  "story1": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230318_LhizakU*iZ","storyTitle":"Early Life in Cyprus","storyDescription":"Petroulla's childhood was marked by immense hardship and challenges, but her unrelenting spirit and determination propelled her forward. Growing up in a family ravaged by her father's ongoing battle with alcoholism, Petroulla quickly learned the value of resilience and self-reliance. She took on odd jobs at a young age to help support her family, often going without basic necessities like food and warm clothing. Despite these difficulties, Petroulla remained fiercely committed to her dream of becoming a midwife, driven by her passion for helping others and her unshakable faith in herself.\n\nAt just 14 years old, Petroulla began working as a maid at a hospital, where she was first exposed to the world of medicine and midwifery. Despite the long hours and difficult conditions, Petroulla cherished the opportunity to learn and grow, and she quickly developed a reputation for her hard work and dedication.\n\nAs she got older, Petroulla faced increasingly difficult obstacles on her path to becoming a midwife. Her family's financial struggles made it difficult for her to continue her education, and she often had to choose between pursuing her dreams and supporting her loved ones. But through it all, Petroulla remained steadfast in her commitment to her goals, pouring all of her energy and resources into her studies.\n\nFinally, at 17 years old, Petroulla made the bold decision to move to England in pursuit of her dreams. It was a daunting challenge, and she faced countless setbacks and obstacles along the way. Her older brother refused to let her study, and instead made her work in his cafe. \n\nAlthough she was ultimately unable to achieve her dream of becoming a midwife, Petroulla's story remains a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her resilience, perseverance, and unshakeable faith in herself continue to inspire and uplift all who hear her story. Whether through her work as a hospital maid or her unwavering determination to pursue her dreams, Petroulla's life was a true example of the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. She will be forever remembered as a shining light of hope and inspiration for generations to come.","isChanged":true},
  "story2": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230318_42UNOzaMX)","storyTitle":"Early Years in London","storyDescription":"Petroulla's early life in England is a story of perseverance in the face of adversity. When she arrived in London, she was denied the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife by her brother, who made her work in his cafe instead. Despite this setback, Petroulla did not give up. She worked tirelessly to make a life for herself in a foreign country and met Rashit, the love of her life, while working at the cafe.\n\nTheir relationship was not without its challenges. Rashit's Turkish-Cypriot background was not accepted by some members of Petroulla's family, causing tension and leading to their secret marriage. This resulted in the eventual estrangement of her family, both in Cyprus and in London, for over a decade. Despite this, Petroulla remained resolute in her love for Rashit and their family.\n\nAs if the challenges were not enough, Rashit was later conscripted into the British army, leaving Petroulla alone to raise their child while working as a cleaner. However, Petroulla remained determined to make a life for herself and her family. When Rashit was discharged from the army, he faced difficulties in reintegrating into civilian life and spent much of the next two decades in prison. This left Petroulla to raise their three children alone in a foreign country where she had no wider family to support her.\n\nDespite these hardships, Petroulla never lost hope or gave up. She remained a pillar of strength and resilience for her family, showing unwavering love and support through it all. Her story is a testament to the power of determination and the human spirit, serving as an inspiration to all who face adversity. Petroulla's legacy lives on through the strength and resilience she instilled in her family, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew and loved her.","isChanged":true},
  "story3": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230326_8x*E!QdFRz","storyTitle":"Overcoming Adversity in 1960s London","storyDescription":"Petroulla's life in 1960s London was marked by tremendous adversity. With a husband in prison and three young children to care for, she found herself alone and unsupported in a foreign country. The situation took a toll on her mental health, but with the help of Bernardo's, Petroulla began to rebuild her life. She found work as a cleaner and was able to rent a room in an apartment on Regents Park Road. Though her fellow tenants were societal outcasts, they proved to be incredibly generous and supportive towards her. Inspired by their kindness, Petroulla paid it forward by helping others in the years to come.\n\nDespite her own struggles, Petroulla always put her children first. She often went without food so that they could eat, and during particularly difficult times, she had to give them sugar water or Farleys Rusks broken up in water. One of her most notable accomplishments was providing a safe haven for her sister Kika and her newborn baby. Petroulla and her children shared a one-room apartment with Kika and the baby for two years before moving them all to Mead Close, where Kika and her daughter stayed for a year.\n\nKika's arrival in Petroulla's life was the catalyst for reconciliation between Petroulla and her family. After a decade of no communication, Petroulla welcomed them all back into her life with open arms. Although her mother never spoke to her again because of her marriage to Rashit, Petroulla was able to reunite with her father in Cyprus in 1971, giving her children the chance to meet their extended family for the first time.\n\nPetroulla's life serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained committed to her children's well-being and was always kind, generous, and compassionate towards others. Her legacy continues to inspire and remind us of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.","isChanged":true},
  "story4": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230326_RL*bvTNGz*","storyTitle":"Guiding the Way for Lighthouse Studios: Petroulla's Remarkable Entrepreneurial Journey","storyDescription":"Petroulla's entrepreneurial journey began when her sister, Kika, opened up a dress factory in London and hired Petroulla to work there for several years. Kika's business was a success, and soon her son Rob left school to join the family enterprise. He attended night school to learn pattern cutting and other essential skills, which helped him develop his career with the company. At the young age of 21, Rob opened his own small shop, and Petroulla joined him to work there.\n\nTheir hard work and dedication paid off, and they never looked back. The business expanded, and soon they were manufacturing garments with a staff of up to 80 employees during its peak. From 1984 to 1998, they ran the business, and during that time, they sold a site to Sainsbury's, which gave them the capital they needed to buy what is now known as Lighthouse Studios.\n\nDespite the changing economic climate, Petroulla and Rob continued to innovate and evolve their business. They adapted to the decline of the UK rag trade with the rise of manufacturing in Eastern Europe and China by transitioning from garment manufacturing to offering affordable studio space for budding entrepreneurs. In 2001, they began renting out space in Lighthouse Studios to those looking for affordable workspace, and their new business model took off.\n\nPetroulla's remarkable entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her resilience, determination, and adaptability. She was able to transform her family's dress factory into a thriving business that provided affordable workspace for many entrepreneurs. Petroulla's legacy lives on through the countless entrepreneurs who have been able to start and grow their businesses at Lighthouse Studios.","isChanged":true},
  "story5": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230408_XScUH0tDhr","storyTitle":"The Power of Forgiveness: Petroulla's Reconciliation with Her Family","storyDescription":"Petroulla's marriage to Rashit was not well received by her family. Their disapproval stemmed from Rashit's Turkish-Cypriot background, which clashed with their Greek-Cypriot heritage. As a result, Petroulla was ostracised by her family, both in Cyprus and London. Her mother refused to speak to her ever again, and her siblings followed suit, leaving Petroulla feeling isolated and alone.\n\nDespite the hurt and pain that came with being shunned by her family, Petroulla remained steadfast and focused on building a life with Rashit. They had three children together, and Petroulla worked tirelessly to provide for her family while Rashit served in the British Army and later spent time in prison. Through it all, she never lost her capacity for love and compassion.\n\nYears passed, and Petroulla's sister, Kika, came to stay with her in London. Kika's arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter in Petroulla's relationship with her family. Kika had a newborn baby, and Petroulla welcomed them both into her home with open arms. The sisters bonded over their shared experiences and grew closer with each passing day.\n\nIt wasn't long before the rest of the family began to take notice of the newfound closeness between Petroulla and Kika. Slowly but surely, they began to reach out to Petroulla, seeking to reconnect after years of silence. Petroulla could have easily turned them away, still harboring feelings of hurt and resentment towards them. But instead, she chose to embrace them with open arms.\n\nIt was not an easy road to reconciliation, and there were certainly bumps along the way. But Petroulla's capacity for forgiveness and compassion paved the way for healing and new beginnings. Over time, her siblings and even her father, whom she had not seen in over a decade, were welcomed back into her life. They began to rebuild the relationships that had been broken for so long.\n\nPetroulla's act of forgiveness and reconciliation is a testament to the power of love and the importance of family. Despite the pain and hurt she endured, she never lost sight of the fact that forgiveness and compassion are far more powerful than anger and resentment. Her family may have turned their backs on her in the past, but Petroulla's open heart and willingness to forgive ultimately brought them back together.","isChanged":true},
  "story6": {"storyPhoto":"https://memorialstories.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/20230408_Z6cWsQto*o","storyTitle":"The Golden Balls Psychic","storyDescription":"Written by Petroulla's grandson, Adam.\n\nThe summer before she passed, my Yiayia, Petroulla, and I had a daily ritual - we'd sit down in front of the TV and watch Golden Balls. Now, if you've never heard of this show, let me fill you in. It was a game show where two contestants would battle it out for a cash prize, and they had to choose whether to \"split\" the prize money or \"steal\" it all for themselves. It was a cutthroat game, and the mind games were intense.\n\nBut my Yiayia had a secret talent that made her stand out - she could predict the contestants' moves with uncanny accuracy. It was like she had some sort of sixth sense, and I was convinced she was a psychic. Every time a contestant was about to make a choice, she would confidently declare, \"They're going to split,\" or \"They're going to steal,\" and sure enough, she was right every single time.\n\nI was baffled - how was she doing this? Was she really a psychic? It wasn't until years later that I found out the truth. My Yiayia had recorded all the episodes of Golden Balls and had watched them all before! But instead of just telling us the truth, she decided to have a little fun.\n\nShe started playing up her \"psychic\" abilities, making wild predictions and building up the suspense until the very last moment. And let me tell you, it worked. I was always on the edge of my seat, waiting to see if her prediction would come true. And it always did.\n\nLooking back on it now, I can't help but laugh at how clever my Yiayia was. She had me fooled everytime, thinking she had some sort of supernatural power, when in reality she was just a crafty woman with a great sense of humour. It's one of my favourite memories of her, and a testament to the power of laughter and quick wit.","isChanged":true},
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}