In Memoriam: Mary Theodoropoulou
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Theodoropoulou, founder of Eurochild member Roots Research Center NGO and a children's rights activist with a focus on children in alternative care.
We send our sincere condolences to Mary's family, friends and colleagues.
Mary, who was an adoptee herself, fought for the rights of adult adoptees to search for their biological family since the early 1990s. She founded Roots Research Center NGO in 1999 and has since advocated for deinstitutionalisation reform, and took part in a variety of projects, such as the Opening Doors Campaign, as well as networks and coalitions like Eurochild and the EEG (The European Expert Group on the transition from institutions to community-based support).
Mary was a champion of children's rights. She worked with the authorities to move Greece away from institutional towards family- and community-based care for children and helped hundreds of adult adoptees who were looking for their biological families.
She worked tirelessly to improve the Greek child protection system, apply Eurochild's vision at the national level, and was a very important member of the network from the first years. Quoting the words of her own team: "She leaves a void that can never be filled. Yet the legacy she leaves behind is both an inspiration and a responsibility for all of us."
Just to mention an example of one of the last collaborations with Eurochild, in just a few days in 2023, her organisation trained 127 caregivers and social workers, targeting specifically professionals working with vulnerable children.
One of Mary's last wishes was that, in lieu of flowers or other gestures, people who wanted to honour her memory would consider donating to her NGO so that the work she devoted her life to could continue:
Bank: Alpha Bank
Account Holder: KENTRO EREVNON RIZES AMKE
IBAN: GR6801404150415002002004350
This October, a memorial event celebrating her life and her invaluable contribution will be held. Further details will be announced soon.