Passed away on August 20, 2026, at the age of 68.
Born on February 11, 1958, in Stratford, Ontario, Andria was a woman who lived life unapologetically on her own terms. Outgoing, fiercely independent, generous and never afraid to speak her mind, she possessed an enormous heart and a presence that was impossible to forget. She was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back, welcome you with open arms, and tell you exactly what she thought while doing it.
An avid reader and gifted writer, Andria had a natural curiosity about people and the world around her. She built a successful career in journalism, including working for The Globe and Mail, where her talent with the written word became an important part of her life.
While pregnant with her only son, Gaetano, Andria was asked to dismiss an entire department, one employee at a time. It was a task that went against the compassion and principles by which she lived. Rather than compromise who she was, Andria chose to walk away.
In true Andria fashion, she created something of her own.
Andria Lazis Valentini founded Articles International, an independent press company through which she led a team of journalists and writers. Under her direction, they produced numerous cover stories and features for publications including TV Week, Controversy, Razor and OK! Magazine. Her career reflected so much of who Andria was: intelligent, creative, determined, fiercely independent and unwilling to be told what she could or could not accomplish.
But beyond everything she accomplished professionally, Andria’s greatest pride was always her family.
She was the beloved wife of Paul Valentini and a beautiful, devoted mother to her only son, Gaetano Valentini. She shared a close and loving relationship with her daughter-in-law, Fatima Valentini, for whom she held tremendous love and gratitude. Andria was especially thankful to Fatima for giving her one of the greatest gifts of the final chapter of her life: her granddaughter, Giovanna Valentini.
Becoming a grandmother brought Andria immense joy. Despite the illness she faced, she was able to be there to celebrate Giovanna’s first birthday – a milestone that meant more to her and her family than words can properly express. She adored her granddaughter, and the love Andria had for Giovanna will remain part of her story long after her passing.
Andria is also lovingly remembered by her brother, Konstantinos Lazis, and her mother, Voula Chronopoulos.
Those who knew Andria knew that her love often found its way into the kitchen. She didn’t simply cook for her family; at times, it seemed as though she cooked for the entire neighbourhood. There was always enough for another person, always room at the table, and her Greek salad was, without question, the best anyone had ever tasted.
She had a wonderfully no-nonsense, no-filter approach to life. You never had to wonder what Andria was thinking. She spoke her mind, stood her ground and believed deeply in knowing your worth and setting your boundaries. Yet behind that toughness was an extraordinarily generous woman who believed in meeting people with an open heart.
As a mother, Andria always encouraged Gaetano to become the best version of himself. The lessons she gave him were simple but powerful: never give up, always set your boundaries, and always meet people with open arms.
Those lessons will now be carried forward.
They will live through her son, through Fatima, and through the granddaughter she loved so dearly. They will live in the stories her family tells, in the meals shared around a table, in the strength with which they face difficult moments, and in the generosity they show to others.
Andria leaves behind her husband Paul, her son Gaetano, her daughter-in-law Fatima, her granddaughter Giovanna, her brother Konstantinos and her mother Voula, along with the many people whose lives were made better, louder, warmer and certainly more interesting because Andria was part of them.
She will be remembered as a talented writer and journalist, a successful entrepreneur, a devoted wife, a loving grandmother, a sister and a daughter.
But to those closest to her, above all else, she was Mom.
A beautiful and loving mother with an enormous heart who believed fiercely in the people she loved and who never stopped encouraging them to keep going.
Her voice was unmistakably her own.
Her heart was enormous.
And the love, strength and values she gave her family will remain with them forever.
