It doesn’t matter if it was via email, DM, Skype or in person. If you had an interaction with Maria Florides, you could feel her energy. Her smile and laugh were inescapable. Her positivity was contagious. With that said, the GPWA family was stunned and saddened on 22 November when we received word that our beloved Program Manager passed away in her sleep at the age of 52 in her home in Cyprus. Her sudden passing came just days after Maria spent a week in Malta at SiGMA Europe doing what she sincerely loved: attending an iGaming conference with the GPWA team and spending time with colleagues, clients and friends from the industry. The outpouring of sincere condolences and fond remembrances on the GPWA forums and social media in the days and weeks following her passing was quite touching. It was no surprise to us that Maria left an indelible mark on anyone she met. Whether it was a friend she knew for decades or an acquaintance she shared a coffee with just one time, Maria had a habit of making a lasting and cheerful impression. In the following pages, we share a sampling of the kind words people across the industry who knew Maria shared with us. As the old saying goes, “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” We feel fortunate that Maria’s jovial personality and love for life provided us all with an abundance of everlasting memories that we will most certainly treasure forever. Rest in peace, Maria. A Fond Farewell to Maria Florides 25 G P W A t i m e s . o r g
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