Maria Papadaki Armstrong of Houston, TX passed away peacefully with her family by her side on the evening of December 18th, 2018.

A Memorial Service for Maria, 75, will be held Friday, December 28, 2018, 10:00am at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, TX 77379.

Maria was born in Kallithea, Athens, Greece on August 19th, 1943 to John & Eleni Papadaki. She married her beloved husband, Arnold, in Aspen, Colorado on March 30th, 1974.

She spent most of her life working as a certified travel agent, which served her and her family well as one of her greatest passions was to travel the world. Maria and Arnold did just that. They traveled to most of the continents to see some of the world's most beautiful places. From Alaska to Australia, Africa to South America, Scotland to Russia and several other destinations in between, her desire to travel lead to many memorable and exciting adventures. Maria and her family spent many family vacations traveling to their cherished home in Greece to visit family, friends, and experience the beautiful Greek culture together.

She also had a passion and love for nature and gardening. Maria and Arnold worked side by side to create an amazing garden oasis around their home. She found purpose in the completion of every detail. When she worked in the garden she could see the fruits of her labor and felt fulfilled. Maria truly had a gift in the garden, and as so many people know, she had that same gift in the kitchen. She had the ability to express her love for others by creating wonderful meals. Much of what she prepared were traditional Greek recipes that were passed down, but anything she made you could count on it being amazing and made with love.

Maria served her community in many ways. She was a long-time member of the Greek Annunciation Church where her children attended Greek school together when they were young. She was also an active member of the Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum, where she spent years volunteering as well as creating life-long friendships.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, John and Eleni, and her brothers Vagelis and Dimitri Papadaki.

Maria is survived by her Husband of 44 years, Arnold, Daughter Nanette Jarosh married to Gene, Son Tony Armstrong married to Katherine, Step-Son Mike Armstrong married to Alicia, and Step-Daughter Jan Ragan married to Sean. She loved and adored all of her Grandchildren, Eleni, Alex, Walker, Ryan, Hudson and Holland.

In lieu of flowers, Maria's wish was for donations to be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to all of those who have touched Maria's life throughout her years, throughout her fight, to the end. We are grateful for you.